What is the difference between Rakuten ‘s Franco and Voit that Otsuka pointed out?
Baseball King
2025.9.25(木) 01:00
Mitsuji Otsuka, who served as commentator for the “Rakuten vs. Softbank” match on the 24th, which was produced by TBC Radio and also broadcast on Nippon Broadcasting System, mentioned Rakuten ‘s Franco.
In Franco’s second at-bat in the fifth inning with the score at 0-5 and no outs and a runner on first base, he fouled off the first change-up thrown by Moinelo. Otsuka pointed out, “That one was also on a sweet spot, but Voit timed his swing to hit the ball right, and I think that’s what made him different.”
He explained the reason for this, saying, “Voit has a certain degree of timing for all types of pitches, but with Franco, when he goes to swing at a straight pitch, his bat doesn’t stop on change-up or slider type balls.His body sways forward, so he ends up hitting the tip of the bat.”
(Courtesy of TBC POWERFUL BASEBALL)