“It will be quite difficult, but I will catch it unconditionally.”
Shintaro Fujinami held a press conference on the 21st (Korean time) at Koshien Stadium in Japan. Wearing the Oakland Athletics uniform, Fujinami expressed high expectations for a head-to-head matchup with Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) and Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs).
Fujinami started his professional career after being nominated by the Hanshin Tigers in the first round of the 2012 rookie draft. At the beginning of his debut, Fujinami achieved double-digit wins in three consecutive seasons and emerged as an ace.
Fujinami’s fall, which had been going well, began after the 2015 season. Fujinami began to struggle due to difficulties with the game and 바카라사이트 various problems, and recorded only 22 wins from the 2016 to 2022 season. However, from the second half of last year, his pitching content improved noticeably, and he decided to challenge his ‘dream’.
After consulting with the club after the season, Fujinami challenged the major leagues through the posting system. And on the 14th, a few days before the deadline for his posting, he succeeded in signing a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics for 3.25 million dollars (about 4 billion won).
According to Japan’s ‘Sports Hochi’, Fujinami answered the question ‘Are you excited?’ It’s done, and I think I am now.
Fujinami, who took on a new challenge in Auckland in the 2023 season, also expressed his disappointment at leaving Hanshin and Koshien Stadium. He said, “I had a lot of good and bad memories at Hanshin. I had a very good experience, whether it was good or bad. I feel fortunate that I am Shintaro Fujinami of the Hanshin Tigers.” It’s my favorite stadium,” he explained.
Fujinami, who had succeeded in fulfilling her dream of advancing to the major leagues, hoped to play against Ohtani and Suzuki. Since Fujinami and Ohtani belong together in the American League West Division, it is expected that they will be able to see scenes of those who have been called ‘rivals’ since high school facing each other on the top stage.
Fujinami said, “Ohtani is the best player in the world. Like Ohtani, he is a classmate. I want to compete with Suzuki,” he said with a smile.
Lastly, Fujinami said, “Based on the weapons I am confident in, such as the fastball and splitter, I will make fun and worthwhile pitching that Japanese fans can support.” I hope that many fans will watch the match,” he expressed his determination.
[Oakland Athletics Shintaro Fujinami, Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani, Chicago Cubs Seiya Suzuki. Photo = Oakland Athletics social media capture,