Rakuten Soji is definitely the strikeout king, Hanshin Takahashi also feels fulfilled with 16 wins

Rakuten's Shoji secured his first title in his fourth year. He pitched no runs in the 8th inning, with 8 strikeouts. He increased his strikeout count to 171 this season, far ahead of his rivals ranked second and lower. The right-hander said proudly, ``I'm particular about getting outs by striking out.I think that's the shape of my pitching.''

Hanshin's Takahashi feels fulfilled after pitching, accumulating 16 wins - professional baseball

While throwing sharp curveballs, he forced batters one after another into the air with his bat. Four players in a row from the top of the fifth inning. ``I was able to throw with a sense of fun. I was able to see the batter's reaction well, and I was able to do what I wanted to do on the mound,'' he said, expressing his satisfaction.

This season, as the opening pitcher, he completed the required number of innings pitched. He pitched his first complete game as a professional in mid-September. Steadily climbing the ladder to become an ace player, he expressed confidence, saying, ``I feel like I'm gradually gaining strength.''

In the past, Masahiro Tanaka and Kodai Norimoto were the team's strikeout leaders. The 25-year-old, who will be on par with his great seniors, said with a smile, ``I'm still a long way off compared to them, but I'm happy.''