On the 14th of November, the Australian Winter League witnessed what some are calling one of the most phenomenal pitching debuts of the season, courtesy of 20-year-old Makoto Kyomoto of the Yomiuri Giants. His performance against the Melbourne Aces left spectators and commentators alike utterly astonished. With eight innings under his belt, Kyomoto allowed just one hit and achieved nine strikeouts, showcasing his immense talent.
Local media swooned over the young pitcher, hailing his performance with superlatives like "amazing" and "unbelievable." During this match – the sixth start of his career – Kyomoto showcased his fastball and breaking pitches right from the get-go, leading to two strikeouts in the first inning alone. It was clear from the outset he was not there to mess around.
By the third inning, things escalated dramatically as he struck out three consecutive batters. To put it simply, he had the Aces batters completely baffled, securing 14 outs before allowing the lone hit. His play drew intense excitement from the local commentators, especially when he nabbed his ninth strikeout, prompting one to exclaim with disbelief, “Wow!” The moment highlighted both Kyomoto's skill and the overall thrilling atmosphere of the game.
AWL’s official social media outlet couldn’t help but shower him with praise either, tweeting out clips of his standout performance and dubbing him “incredible.” Two days after this standout showing, they reiterated his brilliance with remarks like, "Kyomoto is amazing," reflecting the excitement surrounding the young talent.
Kyomoto’s ascent to the professionals has been rapid. Originally drafted seventh overall by the Giants from Meihou High School back in 2021, he has displayed consistent growth, transitioning to the official roster earlier this March. Although his initial appearances showed mixed results, with a 3.60 ERA across four games, his current form suggests he is embracing his potential.
Before heading to Australia for the Winter League, Kyomoto had spent some time refining his skills down on the farm team, where he posted 2 wins against 1 loss alongside 2 saves and a 4.99 ERA over 30 games. His offseason with the AWL seemed to be the turning point. With the impressive 1.93 ERA he has maintained during this stretch, fans are buzzing about what the future holds for him.
Meanwhile, not far from Kyomoto’s exploits, another 20-year-old pitcher from the Giants, Tetsuki Morimoto, is also capturing attention with his dazzling performances. Competing in the 2024 Asia Winter Baseball League, Morimoto has sent shockwaves through the league, particularly with his stellar strikeout rate. Over 12 innings pitched, he has claimed 19 strikeouts, showcasing his rapid progress and sharp skill set. His strikeout rate clocks in at 14.25, drawing fevered admiration from both fans and analysts.
Morimoto’s rise is bolstered by his past achievements too. He joined the Giants as the ninth pick of the 2022 development draft after gaining national recognition during high school and playing for Japan's U-18 team. Even though he has not yet made appearances with the first-team, his performances this season within the third team, including two wins and an impressive 2.08 ERA across 23 games, draw optimistic predictions for next season.
At the Asia Winter League, Morimoto logged seven games, achieving one win, three holds, and maintaining his low 2.25 ERA. Fans are abuzz on social media, lauding his performances with supportive comments, expressing eagerness for next year's matches and predicting he will soon be moved to the main roster.
Both Kyomoto and Morimoto represent the promising future of Japanese baseball, with their rapid progress signaling the potential for significant careers ahead. They aren’t just participating; they’re making waves and nabbing the spotlight they so rightful deserve. With much anticipation from fans and analysts alike, the next season of the NPB will certainly keep them on their feet, as we await to see how these promising youngsters will impose their talent on the larger stage.
