Nippon Jobs》Japan-U.S. General 1883’s former hitter Shogo Akiyama will not use overseas FA and will stay in Hiroshima

Shogo Akiyama. (File photo, AFP)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The 38-year-old Hiroshima Carp outfielder Shogo Akiyama, who obtained his overseas free agent rights (FA) in August this year, chose not to exercise his overseas FA today and stayed with the Hiroshima Carp. He expressed in an interview that he hopes to work hard for the Hiroshima team for another year next year.

Shogo Akiyama suffered from tightness and discomfort in his lower body in the latter part of this season, so he mainly played as a substitute. He played in 76 games this season and delivered 3 home runs, 16 RBIs, a batting average of 0.276, and an overall offensive index (OPS) of 0.670.

Japanese media "Sports News" reported that Akiyama Shogo said, "In order to become the changing force of the Carp team and produce actual results, I will continue to prepare and will not slack off at all."

Starting next year, the Central League will introduce a designated hitter system. Shogo Akiyama said, "If you can't defend, you will lose the opportunity to play. I must keep my physical condition and skills at a certain level so that the team can safely place me in the defensive position."

Shogo Akiyama used the overseas FA to study in the United States after the 2019 season and joined the Reds for $21 million in three years. He only stayed in the major leagues for two seasons and played a total of 142 games. He accumulated 71 hits, 0 home runs, 21 RBIs, and an average batting average of 0.224. Shogo Akiyama will return to Japan in the middle of the 2022 season and join Hiroshima Carp.

Akiyama Shogo has accumulated 1,812 hits, 133 home runs, and a batting average of 0.295 in his 14-year career in Japan. Japan and the United States have accumulated 1,883 hits, and he is still 117 hits away from the 2,000 hit milestone.