Masataka Yoshida, the Japanese fourth hitter for the Boston Red Sox, is recovering from a slump in the early season. He is the hottest hitter in the major leagues with an OPS of 1.301 in the last week. He is regaining momentum to become the RBI leader in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Yoshida boasts an explosive sense of hitting by recording 5 multi-hits in 6 games played over the past week. He recorded 2 hits in 5 at bats against Minnesota on the 21st (hereinafter Korean time), 1 hit in 4 at bats against Milwaukee on the 22nd, and 2 hits in 4 at bats against Milwaukee on the 23rd.
He also set a new record against Milwaukee on the 24th by hitting multiple hits. In one inning, he hit 2 home runs (solo home run, slam home run) and scored 6 runs. Against Baltimore on the 25th, he was on base 100% with 3 hits and 1 walk in 3 at-bats. On the 26th against Baltimore, he went 2 hits in 4 at-bats and multi-hit in 4 consecutive games.
For the past week through the 26th, Yoshida has shown an amazing run with a batting average of 50% (12 hits in 24 at-bats), 2 homers, 9 RBIs, an on-base percentage of .519, a slugging percentage of .792, and an OPS of 1.311.
During this period, his batting average is 1st overall in the major leagues, and his OPS is 3rd overall. James Outman of the LA Dodgers ranks first with a batting average of .409, 4 homers, 9 RBIs, OPS of 1.500, and Adolis Garcia of the Texas Rangers ranks second with a batting average of .429, 3 homers, 9 RBIs, OPS of 1.478.
Yoshida, who signed a 5-year, 90 million dollar (approximately 120 billion won) contract with Boston last winter, played for the Japanese national team at the WBC held in March, batting average of .409 (9 hits in 22 at-bats), 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, on-base percentage of .531, and slugging percentage. 727, OPS 1.258, won the championship and won the RBI.
In Boston’s uniform, he hit a home run four games after the opening of the major leagues, and started smoothly with 5 hits in 17 at-bats (.294 batting average) in his first four games.
However, on the 12th, after recording no hits in 3 at-bats against Tampa Bay, he suffered a thigh pain injury. After returning from a 4 game break, Yoshida went hitless for 3 consecutive games, and his batting average dropped to 10.67. 메이저놀이터
However, minor modifications to his batting coach and batting form while treating his thigh injury slowly started to pay off. His production of hits increased as he made up for his weak spot on the inside ball. Over the course of a week, his batting average soared from 106 07 Lee to 207 08 Lee, more than 100.
When Boston invested 120 billion won in recruiting, there was concern in the United States because Yoshida, who won the Pacific League batting champion for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021, was short (173 cm). He was sluggish in the first half with a batting average of 10%, but he is rebounding by continuing to play as the 4th hitter.
The American media ‘The Cold Wire’ published an article titled ‘The Red Sox’s Divine, Incredible Hits in a Row’ and said, “Yoshida joined the team last winter with a 5-year contract. The Red Sox star has been rocking a hot bat lately. The Red Sox are in last place in the American League East, but Yoshida is showing hot hitting and proving he’s worth what he paid last winter ($90 million over five years).”