SoftBank Hawks Pitcher Ryosuke Otsu's Stellar Pitching, Unexpected Batting, and Speed Go Viral on Social Media

In a recent professional baseball game, SoftBank Hawks pitcher Ryosuke Otsu not only delivered a masterful performance on the mound but also surprised fans with an unexpected display at the plate, garnering significant attention on social media.

Taking the starting mound that day, Otsu showcased exceptional pitching, holding the opponent scoreless for five innings despite the high-pressure situation. His impressive performance even caught the eye of celebrity Akemi Darenogare, who tweeted "Go Otsu-kun🥺🥺🥺" on X (formerly Twitter). Fans eagerly posted comments like "Otsu-kun worked so hard to keep them scoreless" and "We don't want to see Otsu-kun's win disappear..." expressing their strong desire for him to secure the win.

Furthermore, Otsu surprised fans with his batting. After hitting his first professional career hit, he then demonstrated incredible speed on the bases. Posts quickly flooded in, such as "I love how fast Otsu-kun is, I like fast guys (elementary school girl)", "Is it true Otsu-kun reached first base faster than Shuto?", and "Otsu-kun's first hit😳 and he's fast too! He's invincible!" His remarkable quickness drew exclamations of "Genius💞" and "He's invincible!"

After Otsu's departure from the mound, the team brought in relief pitchers Fujii, Hernandez, and Matsumoto, striving to protect the lead. Notably, when pinch-hitter Kondo hit a timely RBI to extend the lead, Otsu was seen erupting in joy in the dugout, symbolizing the team's strong camaraderie.

Captivating fans with his "excellent pitching and excellent running" performance, Otsu showcased his talent in both aspects of the game. Until the very end of the game, calls of "Don't let Otsu-kun's efforts go to waste" and "Protect Otsu-kun's win!" filled social media, reflecting the high expectations for the subsequent relief pitchers and the fervent wish for Otsu's victory.

The context

In Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the pitcher who starts a game and leaves with a lead after at least five innings is eligible to be the "winning pitcher" if their team maintains that lead. This is a significant accomplishment, and fans often feel strongly about ensuring a starter's efforts are rewarded. Ryosuke Otsu, as a pitcher, is not primarily known for his batting or base-running. For a pitcher to not only get a hit – which is rare for many NPB pitchers, especially in the designated hitter (DH) league (though not always used in interleague play or specific leagues) – but also display exceptional speed on the bases, is highly unusual and generates significant excitement among fans. The comparisons to Shuto (Ukyo Shuto of the SoftBank Hawks) are particularly noteworthy, as Shuto is renowned as one of the fastest players in NPB history. This unexpected all-around performance from a pitcher often leads to viral moments on social media.