"I was the only one who wasn't hitting well, so I'm glad it turned out to be the best possible result."
Lotte's Koki Yamaguchi hit his 15th Home Run of the season in the game against Rakuten Eagles on the 22nd.
Starting as the "number 2 DH," Yamaguchi came up to bat for the fourth time in the 6th inning with one out and no runner on starting line-up, with the score 8-0. He swung at a 142 km/h fastball thrown by Naoki Hihata on a 2-ball, 1-strike, and the ball flew over the center field wall for a home run.
This was Yamaguchi's 15th Home Run of the season. He is now just one home run away from his personal best of 16 Home Run in a single season, set in 2022, and is halfway to achieving his goal of 30 Home Run in a season, a goal he has had since turning professional.
"I don't worry about it too much. I think I'm doing what I need to do when I'm out in the game, and home run aren't the only way to contribute, so I hope I can contribute by hitting in every game I play," said the man who is obsessed with Home Run, vowing to contribute to the team's win with his bat.
In an interview on July 19, Yamaguchi said about his extra-base hits, "They're going so-so," but he hit Home Run in the games against Softbank Hawks on the 20th and Rakuten Eagles on the 22nd, and is currently on a two-game Home Run streak.
This season, Yamaguchi has hit nine Home Run runs in his third or later at-bats. Yamaguchi himself feels that his ability to make adjustments at the plate has improved. Most importantly, his consistency has increased this season, and he is hitting fastball with more power.
"It was an area I struggled with, so I think the reason I'm able to maintain this batting average is because I've been able to hit that area well."
His batting average, which had temporarily dropped to .152, has now risen to .290. Since June, his batting average has been above .300 at .324. "I think I've eliminated unnecessary movements. Also, I think I'm standing at the plate with a good feeling."
He's also making good decisions about which balls to watch. He's drawn 11 Walk for the season, but he's drawn 7 of Walk in July alone. In the game against Softbank Hawks on July 20th, in his first at-bat in the first inning with one out and a runner on first, he took a walk on the 10th pitch, a Walk thrown by Tomohisa Ozeki, after a 3-ball, 2-strike. He's been getting on base more often by being patient.
In the game Rakuten Eagles on the 22nd, The Marines fans had dreamed of seeing Kyota Fujiwara batting first, Yamaguchi second, Soto third, and Naonori Yasuda fourth, with Fujiwara being the same age and Yasuda being one year older, forming the core of the batting lineup. For several seasons, one of them had been the one to shine, so it was deeply moving to see the day come when both Fujiwara and Yamaguchi would lead the batting lineup. When asked about these feelings, Yamaguchi casually replied, "It's like we're both going to do our best together."
His ability to handle fastball has improved his consistency, making him a more reliable player. This summer, I hope to see him hit many bullet-line drive Home Run, Home Run with high angles and long hang time, and a variety of other arching shots. I also hope to see him hit a home run in crucial situations.
Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita
