“We’re aiming for a double-digit win.”
NC Dinos’ Asian quarter Toda Natsuki promised to play this season.
NC will depart for Tucson, Arizona, USA, where the first-tier CAMP 2 (NC spring camp) is set up through Incheon International Airport on the 24th. Toda, who will play an active role in the Asian quarter this year, will also head to the U.S. on the same day.
사진 확대 Toda, who met on the 24th, was confident in his performance this year. Photo (Incheon International Airport) = Reporter Lee Han-joo
Toda, from Takahama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is a right-handed pitcher with physical conditions of 170 centimeters and 75 kilograms. He started his professional career in 2021 by being nominated by the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB), and recorded a 1-1 record and 5.53 ERA in 19 games (27.2 innings) during three NPB seasons.
He also showed off his presence last year. In the Eastern League, the NPB’s second-tier league, he played 35 games (7 starts, 81.2 innings) for Yomiuri and recorded 4 wins, 4 losses, a 2.4273 strikeout, and 14 walks.
NC conducted a test in Changwon at the end of October last year with NC manager Lee Ho-joon, pitching coach Lee Seung-ho and data team watching, and eventually succeeded in holding Toda in his arms.
Toda, whom I met before leaving the country, said, “(After taking the test in October last year) he contacted me about the time he returned home. I had a little time to think about it, and then I decided right away,” he said, adding, “I was very happy that you gave me an offer. If I were to play for NC, I thought about how to play,” he said with a bright smile.
“(In the meantime, I rarely went to overseas spring camps). Last year and the year before last, we did it in Korea, and most of them camped in Japan,” he added.
Activities in the KBO League could be another opportunity for Toda. He is well aware of this. “Before that, I didn’t watch (KBO League) matches separately or anything like that,” he said. I’ve been interested since I heard that the Asian quarter will be held last year. Since then, I’ve watched some matches,” he said. “I came to represent Japan in the Asian quarter. I hope it will be an opportunity to appeal to me because I’m good at it,” he said with a big smile.
Above all, Toda’s greatest strength is her control. Coach Lee Ho-joon classified Toda as a starting resource for now. Toda said, “I felt a lot that my ball control has grown while playing in the last season. “I’m going to play with confidence this season,” he said. “I want to play more on the starting side than on the bullpen. I want to live up to my expectations,” he nodded.
However, in order to play as a starter, the number of pitches must be increased. Last year, he played more than 100 innings, including the third team, but he is still not good enough.
“I’m aiming to throw more than 150 innings (this year). The number of balls will be increased step by step. I will prepare at the camp accordingly,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Finally, Toda said, “We are aiming for a double-digit victory. I will try to make a lot of quality starts (more than 6 innings and less than 3 earned runs as a starter), he said, adding, “I want to contribute a lot to the team.”
사진 확대 Toda became active as NC’s Asian quarter this year. Photo = Courtesy of NC
[Incheon International Airport = Lee Han-joo, MK Sports Reporter]