“He’s freaking out” Orix Kurebayashi is Pro No. 1 – Professional Baseball: Nikkan Sports

It was a stubborn blow. Orix’s “Benny”, Kotaro Kurebayashi’s (19) infielder, who is in his second year of high school, scored his first home run as a professional player. He scored the only goal in a complete defeat match.

“Before going into the at-bat, I said to hitting coach and director Nakajima, ‘Please switch over.’ It was a good feeling to be firmly trapped in the center.”

I threw a ball high straight. 7 times to chase 4 points. When the fastest 162km right-arm Garrett’s eighth ball and the 153km straight ball are repelled, the hit ball lands on the left center seat. However, the 19-year-old relaxed his expression for just a moment. “I didn’t have a chance to retire at the front of the bat.” In the 2nd inning, 1 kill, 2nd and 3rd base, he struck out. He struck out in the fourth inning. “I want to increase the probability even more”, he was not satisfied.

Due to Adachi’s crown disease, he was designated as the starting lineup at the Battle of Seibu on the 26th and made a name for himself in the team’s first “teenage opening game.” Rarely in a unique atmosphere, he recalls, “I was nervous. Some of them were defensive and without mistakes.” However, the sunny stage to which the First Army aspires. He showed his strength in the third race and was the first player born in 2001 to have a bonus bow.

Director Nakajima said about Kurebayashi: “I couldn’t give him a chance and he was freaking out. It’s great that one came out.” It was decided to lose the initial letter for 10 years in a row, but found hope in an opportunity at the age of 19. Starting on the 30th, the Softbank champion will be the base. The commander said, “Don’t let go. Absolutely (win rate) 50% of the time. I’ll go back to Kyocera and do something about it.” First, bring it back to 50% and wait for a counterattack.[Ken Mashiba]

◆ Kotaro Kurebayashi Born on February 7, 2002 (Heisei 14), from Shizuoka Prefecture. At Suruga Sogo, he has played a central role since the summer of freshman year and has hit 40 home runs in total in high school. He joined Orix in second place in the draft in 19 years. The first professional hit in the game against Rakuten on November 3 of last season was the first hit for a recent high school graduate since Toru Takashima in 1989. In the game against the Nippon-Ham Fighters on November 6, he pitched the final on time in the fifth inning, and featured Miyagi, who joined the team at the same time, with his first professional victory. 186 cm, 95 kg. Right-handed.