We’re most of the way through this long meal called Spring Training. The fifth course is now in the books, and on this, Wilin Rosario‘s 29th birthday, we bring you the news of the past 3 days.
First, Rosario took some time during batting practice to teach struggling outfielder Taiga Egoshi about hitting. We can only hope something sinks in! He also spent time talking to Seishiro Sakamoto and Kenya Nagasaka about weight transfer when throwing out runners. Could we see Rosario behind the mask at some point this season???
The pitcher we got as compensation for Yamato in the winter, Yuya Onaka, has hurt his back and will undergo a different practice schedule than the rest of the squad for the time being.
Rafael Dolis has a sore right elbow. Manager Tomoaki Kanemoto insists it’s “minor” but does not want his closer to overdo it.
Randy Messenger has been officially named the team’s Opening Day starter. The big righty knew it was coming, but still says there’s no greater honor.
Third baseman Yusuke Ohyama and relief pitcher Tsuyoshi Ishizaki have been named to the Samurai Japan squad. They are the lone two Tigers on the 28-man roster that will play a few warmup games against Team Australia in early March.
And now, on to exhibition action…
Vs. Kia (Korea) – Wednesday, February 21
Rosario picked up 2 hits, 2 RBI, and even showed another facet to his game…
ロサリオタイムリーの後は三盗塁(笑)
この時期なんだから無理するなよ～#阪神タイガース #Tigers #hanshin #ロサリオ pic.twitter.com/pSEx9pCh3g— たけぽん@野球 (@takeponbaseball) February 21, 2018
Other key hitters were… Masahiro Nakatani and Shun Takayama, who got RBIs on sacrifice flies (and then got called out by Kanemoto in a media session for not being able to do more damage.
Ohyama picked up an RBI… Kento Itohara got two hits and two RBIs… but the biggest surprise was…
Rookie outfielder Kairi Shimada, who has wowed coaches and fans with his blazing speed, collected two hits and 3 RBIs, including two here:
赤星憲広の背番号53を受け継いだ快速自慢の島田海吏、プロ初ホームランきたああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああ＼(^o^)／
これは凄いわ！😳😳✨
やっぱりバッティングも良い元陸上部短距離選手を推さないわけにはいかへんわ！😳😳✨ pic.twitter.com/FDKpUeZFld
— や す ぽ ん くん@FCU (@ksmokya_fcu_21) February 21, 2018
On the flip side, Minoru Iwata gave up five runs in an inning of work. He walked three and gave up a grand slam home run for most of that damage. Not a good way of appealing to the manager.
Also struggling was first round draft pick Kosuke Baba. He lasted just 1/3 of an inning, as he opened the ninth with: H H H K H H H. He left the game with the bases juiced, and…
Fifth round pick Masaki Tanigawa came in and struck out the first guy he faced, then walked in a run before striking out the last batter and ending the game in style.
Final Score: Hanshin Tigers 12, Kia Tigers 9
The farm kids had an exhibition game yesterday against the Seibu Lions, and won 6-0. Hiroki Uemoto collected three hits as he continues to work back from ankle surgery. Ryosuke Ogata hit a 2-run home run as well. On the pitching end of things, Daiki Enokida started, and was backed up by Kazuo Itoh, Haruto Takahashi, Masaki Ishii, Shoya Yamamoto and Daichi Takeyasu.
Five more days of camp and the boys make their way back up to Kansai! Baseball season is almost here! Can’t wait!