[Hanshin]Nakagawa Hayato and Maekawa Ukyo, Takadera Nozomi? The “challenge slot” continues to continue to drive the team – Professional baseball man reporter column – Baseball column: Daily Sports

It seems that baseball fans often use the term “challenge slot.” A fluid position with no regular players present. He becomes left fielder in Hanshin. I feel that the competition for positions in which young players compete against each other is the driving force behind the leadership.

The words that Director Fujikawa said the other day were impressive. “All the players are really competing with each other. I want to have fun watching which players are in good condition.” It seemed as if they were feeling the energy they were coming out onto the ground by changing their eyes color.

Each candidate player has its own appeal. Currently, Takadera Nozomi (22) is leading the way. He has started six times in the last 10 games. He has an outstanding hits and has the punching ability of two home runs this season. On the 17th, he hit a skilled finale in the Giants game (Tokyo Dome), and was interviewed as a hero for the first time despite the match being out of the match.

His main job is infield, where he mainly works as a shortstop player. He is showing off his light movements and throwing that are typical of an infielder, and is transforming unfamiliar defense into his “strengths.”

Still, it's not fixed. There are challenges to grasping the fixed position. Takadera is a left-handed pitcher, but compared to his batting average of .292 against right-handed pitchers, the left-handed pitcher has a .133. If the numbers on the left are included, the chances of playing will increase even more.

The rivals have the same tendency. Right-handed outfielder Toyoda Hiroshi (28) and catcher Nakagawa Hayato (21) also fell in batting averages against right-handed pitchers. Each of them has plenty of opportunity to bat on both the left and right. It seems that the leadership's intentions are appreciated. Everyone should understand.

Left-handed outfielder Maekawa Ukyo (22) is not improving his form, but his performance against left-handed is characterized by his high batting average and on-base percentage all over the board. Last year, when he started in 83 games, the opponents of the left side were slightly ahead. Since he didn't bother him, former manager Okada Akifusa continued to use it. It is certainly a key point for winning a regular spot. Of course, the regulars are fixed, but they also play without distinction between the left and right. Obata Ryuhei (24), who has increased his chances of playing shortstop this season, has better results on the left versus the left.

Infielder Kumagai Keiyu (29) and outfielder Shimada Kairi (29), who are indispensable as a utility player, also started in the left field this season. There are also many left-wing candidates in the second team. It's quite early, but I can't wait for the next spring camp, when competition resumes on the other side.[Kashiwara Makoto]