Yutaka Takagi talks about the “batting order” of professional baseball Part 1
About “6th batter”
Each batting order has its own role, but the number 6 batsman has various opinions depending on the team situation and the opinions of experts. In the past, Hanshin manager Akifu Okada said, “The batting order that creates big innings and decides the game.” and emphasized its importance.
What does Yutaka Takagi, who used to play for the Taiyo Whales (currently Yokohama DeNA Baystars) and is now a baseball commentator and YouTuber, think? He asked about the definition of the sixth hitter and the ideal sixth hitter in the current and all-time history.
Nakamasa Mannami (left) of Nippon-Ham and Hironori Ishige, who was active in Seibu during the golden era
――What are your thoughts on the definition of the sixth hitter and the type of hitter that suits him?
Yutaka Takagi (hereinafter referred to as Takagi): In my opinion, I want a player who has the triple threat of running, attacking, and defending. However, the Central League, where the pitcher is at bat, and the 6th in the Pacific League, where the DH has a DH, have a slightly different meaning, and what kind of hitter is put in the cleanup also makes a difference. So, naturally, I think that the way of thinking about number 6 differs depending on the team.
――What kind of number 6 hitter is ideal for the Central League?
Takagi: I’m going to repeat myself, but basically I want you to have all the triple threats. In terms of offense, I want to use my legs when No. 6 comes on base in order to increase my chances.
Except when the 9th pitcher is in the batting order and a pinch hitter comes out, if you continue to pitch and enter the plate as it is, you can avoid the game with the 8th pitcher in situations such as chances, and it is often a game with the pitcher. . In that sense, I would like him to become a player who can create a situation where he can steal a base and advance to the next base and come back with a one-hit.
The same basic abilities are required in the Pacific League, but the 9th hitter will be a DH, so I don’t think it’s necessary to demand that much.
――There are many teams that do not have a fixed sixth batter, so it will be difficult to make a comparison.
Takagi: I’m DeNA’s Taiki Sekine, who played No. 6 from the beginning of the season until mid-May. I can connect, and I can decide the match with a strong match. His slugging ability is lacking, but he did a good job of making chances and returning runners.
2023-06-27 14:48:45
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