- After a 2–1 start, are the Yomiuri Giants actually worth believing in?
- Pitching Is Ahead of Schedule — and It’s Not Subtle
- The One Concern That Won’t Go Away: The Offense
- Has Hayato Sakamoto Really “Returned”?
- Why Third Base Matters More Than People Think
- So What Level Is Sakamoto Now?
- Final Verdict: The Shape of a Contender Is Starting to Show
After a 2–1 start, are the Yomiuri Giants actually worth believing in?
Three open games. Two wins, one loss.
But the bigger story isn’t the record—it’s the feeling spreading among fans:
“This Giants team feels different.”
And the reason is clear. It starts on the mound.
Pitching Is Ahead of Schedule — and It’s Not Subtle
Through three preseason games, the Giants’ pitching has looked unusually sharp:
- 22 consecutive scoreless innings
- Two straight shutouts
- A growing sense that “the Pitching Kingdom is back”
Fan reactions say it all:
- “The rotation battle is insanely competitive.”
- “This is a ‘win-with-defense’ Giants team.”
- “Pitching Kingdom revival might be real.”
The most encouraging part? It’s not just one or two arms.
- Norimoto → Masahiro Tanaka combined for a shutout relay
- New foreign pitchers (Whitley, Howard, Mata) have all posted scoreless outings
- Rookie 3rd-rounder Kyohei Yamashiro made noise:
- 2⅔ IP, 0 H, 3 K
- Topped out at 150 km/h
- Fearless “challenge-the-zone” mentality
If you’re looking for early-season foundations, this is about as strong as it gets.
The One Concern That Won’t Go Away: The Offense
Even with all the pitching optimism, the first game vs Yakult was a reminder of an old Giants frustration:
- Only 3 hits
- Missed opportunities in key spots
Some fans summed it up brutally:
- “One out, runners on first and third… and nothing happens. Classic Giants.”
That’s why the spotlight naturally swings to one name.
Hayato Sakamoto.
Has Hayato Sakamoto Really “Returned”?
Don’t go by vibes—check the numbers.
Fan feedback has been positive:
- “He’s swinging aggressively.”
- “He looks healthy.”
But the real question is performance trajectory.
Sakamoto: 2023–2025 Comparison
| Season | AVG | HR | OPS | SLG | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | .288 | 22 | .884 | .524 | Bounce-back year |
| 2024 | .256 | 12 | .731 | .413 | Clear drop-off |
| 2025 | .271 | 15 | .802 | .465 | Stabilized / improved |
The key takeaway:
- 2024 was a real decline (OPS dipped to .731)
- 2025 showed a meaningful rebound:
- AVG back up
- OPS returned to the .800 range
- SLG improved again
This isn’t peak Sakamoto. But it is proof that the fall bottomed out.
Why Third Base Matters More Than People Think
Sakamoto’s move to third base as the primary position has quietly changed everything.
At shortstop:
- maximum defensive workload
- heavy lower-body fatigue
- noticeable late-season drop-offs
At third base:
- reduced wear and tear
- better stamina maintenance
- more energy for consistent at-bats
That context matters—because the 2023 power spike (22 HR) and the 2025 stabilization both align with a lighter defensive burden.
So What Level Is Sakamoto Now?
Not the MVP-level monster (OPS .900+).
But if he gives you:
- .270
- 15 HR
- OPS around .800
That’s still legitimate core-player output, especially considering age curve realities.
He doesn’t need to be vintage Sakamoto for the Giants to contend—he needs to be steady.
Final Verdict: The Shape of a Contender Is Starting to Show
Right now, the Giants have real reasons to believe:
- ✅ Pitching may be the real deal
- ✅ Young arms are forcing the competition higher
- ✅ Sakamoto appears stabilized—not fading
- ✅ Third-base usage supports durability and offense
If the formula becomes:
Elite pitching + reliable middle of the order
…then 2026 gets interesting fast.
The only missing piece is obvious:
waiting for the bats to truly wake up.
But even in February, one thing feels different:
This team already has a foundation that wins.
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