Czech fielder Marek Schlupp (25) wore the prestigious Yomiuri Giants uniform representing the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Japanese media Sports Hochi reported on Monday that Schlupp, who signed a contract with Yomiuri, had a press conference to join the team. According to the report, Schlupp, who is the first former member of the Czech Republic in the history of the NPB, said, “It’s a great honor. I had no idea that the Yomiuri Giants were investigating me. I was honestly surprised.”
Schlupp is close to an unknown player who played in the independent league rather than in the minor league. He has posted a batting average of 0.252 (69 hits in 274 times at bat), seven homers, 43 RBIs and 23 steals in 80 games this season. His on-base plus slugging percentage (0.351) is an average of 0.764. Yomiuri paid attention to independent league players because of the World Baseball Classic held in March last year. Schlupp, who played for the Czech Republic at the time, hit a fastball of 163 kilometers per hour by Rocky Sasaki at a match against Japan held at Tokyo Dome in Japan, recording a double in the left field line. Sasaki is a fireballer representing NPB, and is the ace who represents the “Samueline Japan.”
Yoshimura, the head of the team’s headquarters, who attended the press conference for joining the team, said, “There was a player who was concerned by manager Abe Shinnosuke. There was a request to investigate the current condition first.” Yomiuri reportedly waited for the end of the U.S. independent league schedule and then entered Schlupp’s sales campaign.
Schlupp is scheduled to be tested at the Phoenix League in Miyazaki. “I think he’s a five-tool player. I hope he can see his speed and power. I want to level up as a baseball player and grow up to become a player who can contribute to the club as a member of the first team,” Schlupp said. 메이저놀이터