Dalbec Records First Hit; Young Speedsters Make Their Case (Feb 21, Naha)
On February 21 in Naha, the Yomiuri Giants opened their preseason schedule against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Final score: 1–3.
A loss on paper — but not a discouraging one.
■ Iori Yamasaki Strengthens His Opening Day Case
Starter Iori Yamasaki delivered two scoreless innings with crisp tempo and visible composure.
No wasted pitches. No visible strain. Just efficient execution.
Many observers came away thinking the same thing:
“That’s an Opening Day candidate.”
Reliever Yudai Nishidate followed with a solid outing of his own, reinforcing a clear theme:
👉 The pitching staff looks on schedule.
■ Bobby Dalbec Notches His First Hit
New acquisition Bobby Dalbec collected his first hit in a Giants uniform.
He still appears to be adjusting to timing and sequencing, but getting that first knock matters. The crowd in Naha responded immediately — a reminder of the expectations surrounding him.
It wasn’t explosive.
But it was a start.
■ Youth Movement: Speed as Identity
Several young players made noise not with the bat — but with their legs.
- Makoto Kadomaki
- Aoi Utsunomiya
- Gakuhi Minagawa
Aggressive base running and stolen bases signaled something intentional.
Under manager Shinnosuke Abe, the Giants are showing signs of becoming a team that runs with purpose.
The identity shift is subtle — but visible.
■ Three Hits: The Clear Concern
Offensively, the Giants managed just three hits.
That’s light — even for late February.
Reliever Taisei Funabashi surrendered three runs in a pivotal inning, allowing Yakult to flip the game.
Still, perspective matters.
This is adjustment phase baseball.
Pitch counts are limited.
Timing isn’t locked in.
Lineups are experimental.
■ Fan Sentiment: Calm, Not Panic
Online reaction was notably steady:
- “Pitching looks fine.”
- “Yamasaki’s ready.”
- “No reason to panic.”
Some fans even pointed to a small but symbolic moment:
Hayato Sakamoto acknowledging Abe’s applause from the dugout.
The energy inside the team doesn’t feel fractured.
It feels measured.
■ Next Test: Chunichi Dragons
The next preseason matchup comes against the
Chunichi Dragons.
Key questions:
- Will the bats wake up?
- Can Dalbec record his second hit?
- Does Yamasaki take a firm lead in the rotation battle?
Preseason results don’t define a season.
But rhythm does.
And if the Giants can pair stable pitching with a spark from the lineup, momentum could build quickly.
The foundation is there.
Now comes the refinement. ⚾🔥
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