"I only look forward to winning the title as a representative of Japan." Japanese monster left-hander, who overwhelmed Korea on APBC, will play in Premier 12... Should I start the match between Korea and Japan again
"I only look forward to winning the title as a representative of Japan." Japanese monster left-hander, who overwhelmed Korea on APBC, will play in Premier 12... Should I start the match between Korea and Japan again
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Japanese media mentioned the possibility that Chihiro Sumida (25, Seibu Lions), a Japanese monster left-hander who dominated the Korean national team's batting line-up at the Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) last year, will be a starting pitcher for the upcoming 2024 Premier 12 tournament.안전놀이터
The Japanese national baseball team, which is aiming to win its second consecutive Premier 12 tournament, announced its final entry of 28 players through a press conference by manager Hirokazu Ibata on the 9th. Without Muneetaka Murakami (Yakurt Swallows), a giant who has the record for the most home runs (56 home runs) by Japanese batters, and Roki Sasaki (Chiba Lotte Marines), a "monster" who throws a maximum speed of 165km/h, the Japanese national team focused on generational change, with 10 players selected for the first time for the national team and 14 players under the age of 25, half of the team. This is the composition of the national team, which looks not only at the Premier 12 tournament but also at the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
The "Monster" Sasaki is missing, but Japan's strong pitching power remains solid. Pacific League co-winner Hiromi Ito (Nihonham Fighters), who had impressive pitching against the Korean national team at the Tokyo Olympics, No. 1 overall ERA (1.38), Hiroto Takahashi (Junichi Dragons) in the NPB, and Shosei Togo (Yomiuri Giants), who won 12 games in a row and posted an ERA of 1.95 this season, are notable.
Among them, Sumida is one of the pitchers the Korean national team should be wary of. Having joined Seibu as the top draft pick in 2021, Sumida realized the high barrier of professional baseball by recording one win, 10 losses and an earned run average of 3.75 in 16 games in 2022, her first year in the first division.
Sumida, who showed further growth by recording 9 wins and 10 losses and an ERA of 3.44 last year, in her second year of debut, joined the Japanese national team for the first time through the APBC tournament. Sumida, who started against Korea in the preliminary round, led Japan to a 2-1 victory with 77 pitches, three hits, one strikeout and seven perfect pitches in seven innings, including a perfect march with only 26 pitches until the third inning. At that time, South Korea's starter Lee Eui-ri had a tight pitching match with a quality start of two runs in six innings, but only recovered one run with Kim Hui-jip's solo home run after two outs in the ninth inning.
Sumida, who imprinted her name on the international stage for the first time, took the mound as Japan's fifth pitcher when she achieved a team perfect (5-0 win) in an exhibition match against the European national team in March this year and showed off her presence with four perfect strikeouts in two innings.
Smida, who is 177 centimeters tall and weighs 81 kilograms, is able to complete a variety of breaking balls including 150 kilometers per hour fastball, curveball, change-up, splitter, and slider, spent her career high season with 9-10 losses and an ERA of 2.76 in 26 games this season, her third year since debut. Unfortunately, she failed to achieve 10 wins, but she showed growth by ranking second in most innings (179 ⅓ innings) and fifth in strikeouts (154) in the Pacific League.
Based on his stellar performance, Sumida has successfully joined the Japanese national team once again. "I am extremely honored to have been selected (for the national team). I have high expectations already. As a representative of Japan, I have no other goal than winning a championship. I will do my best in the position entrusted to me," he said through Seibu.
Meanwhile, Japanese media outlet "Kokoka" mentioned Sumida's possibility to start the Premier 12 match against Korea. Media outlets picked Hiroto Takahashi (Chunichi Dragons) as the starting pitcher. Takahashi, who ranks first in ERA and has the most 12 wins among individuals, is expected to receive enthusiastic support from Nagoya fans at his home stadium, the Bantherin Dome.
Sumida was then expected to be the starting pitcher for the match against the Korean team to be held in Taiwan. "As he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Korean team in the APBC last fall, attention is focusing on whether he will be able to replicate his past performance," the media said.