Akihiro Aoyagi, who won three titles, including the most wins for the second consecutive year last season, will be the opening pitcher in professional baseball and Hanshin.
This was announced by manager Akifu Okada after the opening match against Nippon-Ham at Koshien Stadium on the 10th.
In his seventh season last season, pitcher Aoyagi recorded 13 wins and 4 losses, a winning percentage of 70%, 6 minutes and 5 minutes, and an ERA of 2.05. won three titles.
This season, he is aiming for 15 wins, which he has not achieved yet, and the highest number of wins for the third consecutive year, which no one has achieved in the Central League. We were showing a smooth adjustment for the opening.
Although pitcher Aoyagi was nominated as the opening pitcher last season, he was unable to pitch due to the new coronavirus infection, and if he pitches this season, he will be the first opening pitcher.
Manager Okada said, "I think it was a pity that I couldn't pitch last year. He won the title with the most wins for the second year in a row, and in the current rotation, he has the most wins, so naturally I have to let him pitch. I was talking.
Pitcher Aoyagi expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm happy, and I was selected again in the frustration of not being able to pitch last year, so I want to keep improving from here and do my best to win the opening game."
Hanshin will face DeNA in the season opener at Kyocera Dome Osaka on the 31st of this month.