Source: Nikkan Sports
The hype machine that 2020 first-round draft pick Teruaki Sato‘s life has become, well, it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Nikkan Sports kindly summarized his exploits so far since joining the Tigers. Keep in mind that he is still just 21 years old (until this weekend).
★ February 2: His 120th swing of batting practice hit the top of the scoreboard beyond the center-field wall – an estimated 145 meters (475 feet).
★ February 4: In his first “game” action (intrasquad), despite going 0-3, former Carp manager Koichi Okada (who was in attendance) observed that “in 2-3 years, he is really going to become a Yuki Yanagita-type player.”
★ February 8: His 72nd swing of batting practice sent the ball an estimated 150 meters (492 feet).
★ February 9: In his first scrimmage against a real opponent (Nippon-Ham Fighters), he hit a two-run home run that gave the Tigers the lead. It was his first in-game home run in just his 9th at-bat and was a tight, inside pitch that showed real skill and power.
★ February 16: While facing the Rakuten Eagles in a scrimmage game, he hit a broken-bat foul ball that went over the outfield fence.
★ February 18: Playing in Ginowan against the DeNA Baystars, he hit a ball over the scoreboard in center, an estimated 140 meters (460 feet). Earlier in that same game, he recorded two hits against starter Shinichi Ohnuki, who recorded 10 wins last season.
★ February 21: Playing against the Carp, Sato hit a double to the gap on a 150+ km/h fastball from last year’s rookie of the year, Masato Morishita.
★ February 28: Facing the Swallows, Sato hit a first-inning pitch from fellow first-round draft pick Naofumi Kizawa that had their left fielder step up to catch… but that then carried over his head and dropped in for a double.
★ March 1: Reflecting on the month of spring training, he said, “I feel like I was able to show my power and that I am able to match power with the pitchers. If I get hold of a ball, it has a chance of leaving the yard, even at the pro level.” He did, in fact, hit .394 with 2 homers and 9 RBIs in 8 games in Okinawa.
★ March 5: Hit a home run to the opposite field against the Softbank Hawks’ Opening Day pitcher, Shuta Ishikawa (who led the PL in wins last season).
★ March 9: Ripped an RBI single to right in his first ever at-bat at Koshien Stadium against the Carp.
★ March 10: Recorded three hits, including a monster opposite-field home run, in his second game at Koshien Stadium.
The legend of the hype? The hype of the legend? Continues…