Special Read】Is this year’s “Abe Giants” really strong?

Something is different about this year’s Giants.

Last season, the Hanshin Tigers won the Japanese championship for the first time in 38 years. Their eternal rivals, the Giants, were languishing in the B class. While the Giants boasted the league’s top batting average and home runs per plate appearance, their pitching staff was a drag, with a team batting average of 3.39, the second-worst in the league. In particular, the relief defense ratio was the lowest at 3.81, and no matter how many runs the team scored, it was always turned around in the late innings, causing the fans in Tokyo Dome to sigh.

What about this season?

Shinnosuke Abe (45) was promoted from head coach to manager, replacing Tatsunori Hara (65), who stepped down as manager to take responsibility for the team’s poor performance. The team aggressively reinforced its pitching staff through trades and the draft, releasing Adam Walker (32) and others who had not had a chance to pitch, and acquiring Rei Takahashi (28) and Keisuke Izumi (27).

The leadership team, which had been derided by some as a “cabinet of friends,” was also renewed. Hara’s loyal subjects such as Daisuke Motoki (52) and Dave Okubo (57) took off their uniforms, and Kenji Yano (43) became the new hitting coach and Toshiya Sugiuchi (43) and Tetsuya Utsumi (41) became the new pitching coaches. By aggressively replacing blood, the team appealed both inside and outside the organization to “get rid of the harassment. Such team reforms have been successful, and the Giants have been strong from the start of the season. Instead of the hit-and-run baseball of last season, they are winning more games defensively with their solid defense and pitching, and are competing with Chunichi, who is also doing well, for the top spot,” said Mr. A, a sports newspaper desk clerk.

Is this season’s smooth start a prelude to regaining Japan’s No. 1 position, which has been away for 12 years, or is it just another spring camellia? Are the new Giants strong?　Is Abe a great general?

The Giants are strong this year!”

Tomoya Satozaki, a former Lotte baseball critic who placed the Giants at No. 1 in his rankings predictions on his YouTube channel, answered immediately.

Last year, the Giants were plagued by the inability of their key infielders Hayato Sakamoto (35) and guardian god Osei (24). This year, however, they have succeeded in fixing Sakamoto at third, and Taisei has regained his pitching ability. If they can function, they are not the kind of team that would be in the B class in the first place. This year, our young players who are growing are also playing well, and there are many positive factors to judge.”

On the other hand, some Giants alumni are predicting a similarly tough battle as last year. Sei Nishimoto, who predicted a fourth-place finish in the final standings and said in an interview with his friend and rival Taku Egawa (68) that “last place is a possibility,” gives a loving whip to his younger teammates.

It is true that we have a better lineup than last year, but whether or not it will mesh is another story. I am particularly worried about the long-hitting ability. With the departure of Sho Nakata (34) and Walker, we have fewer fielders who can hit double-digit homers. Currently, Makoto Kadowaki (23), who is in his second year as a fixed shortstop to replace Sakamoto, often plays the No. 3 position, but he is a player whose agility and skill are more important than his long-ball hitting ability. It is undeniable that he is inferior to other teams’ No. 3 hitters. It would be easier for him to bat first, second, or lower in the order, and he would be a perfect fit for the No. 3 spot if he could get Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (32, DeNA), who was rumored to be returning from the majors, to play there. …… The key will be how well the young outfielders, including rookie Shunsuke Sasaki (24) and second-year player Masaya Hagio (23), can hit.

Although their predictions are diametrically opposed, the two commentators cited the success of young players as a key factor. The April 19 issue of “FRIDAY” and the paid version of “FRIDAY GOLD,” in addition to their analysis, will feature detailed reports from team officials, pro-baseball alumni, and reporters who cover the players up close and personal.

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