Kodo Taisei, the Hanshin Tigers' rookie pitcher, has made headlines with his electrifying performance during the preseason game against the Chicago Cubs on March 15, 2025, held at Tokyo Dome. The 23-year-old, who recently signed with the team just over a week ago, has established himself as a formidable talent on the mound.
Coming on as the third pitcher of the evening, Kodo faced the challenging Cubs lineup and remarkably struck out three batters, completing his one inning of work with zero runs and only one hit allowed. The atmosphere became electric as he swiftly dispatched Ian Happ, the Cubs' leadoff hitter. Kodo showcased his ability by bringing the count full before finishing Happ with his signature forkball, which left the seasoned hitter swinging at air.
Kodo's fastball was clocked at impressive speeds, reaching 154 km/h on his first pitch. Shortly after, he escalated his performance, clocking at 156 km/h against Seiya Suzuki. Although Suzuki managed to get a bat on the ball, it resulted only as a weak hit to left field, showcasing Kodo's intensity and ability to challenge even seasoned batters effectively.
Despite allowing Suzuki to reach base, Kodo remained undeterred, going against Kyle Tucker and delivering another fastball at 154 km/h to secure his second strikeout of the inning. Although he faced Justin Turner, who drew a walk, Kodo quickly regained control and ended the inning with another strikeout against Matt Shaw, successfully fending off the two-out, runners on first and second situation with another high fastball.
All of Kodo's outs during this pivotal inning came from strikeouts, and as he walked off the mound, he received thunderous applause from the crowd, appreciating his tremendous effort and skill. This performance not only confirms his potential and capabilities but it also echoes the moments when he was selected as the first pick of the developmental draft, emphasizing his potential to transition smoothly to the main roster.
Reflecting on his performance, Kodo expressed his excitement, stating, "I just wanted to do my best out there and show what I can do." The young pitcher’s determination and talent were obvious, and his exciting display has left fans and teammates hopeful for his contributions throughout the upcoming season.
The matchup against the Cubs served not only as preparation for the Hanshin Tigers as they gear up for the regular season but also as a platform for new players like Kodo to make their mark. With current major leaguers like Ian Happ earning approximately 290 million yen annually, Kodo's estimated salary of 4.2 million yen stands in stark relief, making his success even more impressive. His drive and performance serve as inspiration, showing dreamers everywhere the potential to overcome even significant financial disparities with skill and hard work.
Kodo Taisei's triumph on the mound is just one of many exciting performances to come as the Hanshin Tigers look to build on their recent successes and make their mark for the upcoming baseball season. With budding talents like Kodo leading the charge, fans have much to look forward to as they anticipate the opening day.