SD Higashioka tops NL catcher's home run
SD Higashioka tops NL catcher's home run
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Higashioka started the game as a catcher and eighth hitter in an away game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on the 29th (Korea time). He hit a two-run homer in his at-bat in the top of the fifth inning. It was his ninth homer of the season.
The San Diego Union-Turribune said on Thursday that Higashioka had eight home runs in June alone. He hit eight home runs in just 48 at-bats, shedding light on Higashioka's stellar performance in recent months.
The media continued, "The nine home runs that Higashioka is currently recording this season are tied for first in the National League catcher's home run category with LA Dodgers catcher Will Smith (29). If there is a difference, Smith, the main catcher, played 60 games and hit nine home runs, while Higashioka, the backup catcher, hit nine home runs after playing just 32 games."
Higashioka didn't just hit many home runs. Many of his recent home runs are attracting more attention because they are all nutritious home runs that are directly related to his team's victory. On the 13th, he directly led his team to victory by hitting a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the ninth inning at a home game against Oakland.
It's not the only one. When he started as a catcher at a home game held at Petco Park in San Diego, California on Tuesday, he garnered three hits, six RBIs and three runs from four times at bat. Notably, his three hits included two home runs. Higashioka had the first run with a two-run shot in the top of the second inning, which sealed his team's victory with his first grand slam in the big league in the eighth inning.
This is not the first time Higashioka has hit multiple home runs in a game. He also hit two home runs in a game in June 2022. In September 2020, when he was with the New York Yankees, he hit three home runs in a game by using Toronto as an sacrifice. One regret is that he did not have good contact skills and was not able to secure the starting position.
Higashioka, a Japanese-American from California, made his Major League debut in 2017 as a member of the New York Yankees. However, he has never played more than 100 games in a season so far. His 92 games with the New York Yankees last year were his most appearances in a season.
As if he is well aware of this reality, Higashioka said in an interview with MHN Sports, which he met at Peoria Spring Camp in Arizona in March, "I won't be able to play every day, but I want to do my best whenever I get the opportunity to become a player who helps the team win, whether it be offense or defense."
Luis Campusano (26) is the starting catcher for the San Diego Padres. Although he made his Major League debut in 2020, he spent more time in the Minor League. However, he impressed the coaching staff by posting a batting average of 0.319 with seven homers and 30 RBIs in 49 games last year, and as a result, he was selected as the starting catcher for this season's opening game.
Contrary to expectations, however, Kampusano's performance is not good enough. Before going on the injured list on the 21st, he played in a total of 66 games this season, recording a batting average of 0.234, five homers, 31 RBIs and an OPS of 0.653. His performance is worse than Higashioka's 0.211, nine homers and 22 RBIs with an OPS of 0.797.
Higashioka had been drafted by the New York Yankees in the seventh round of the Major League Rookie Draft in 2008 and entered the professional league. Then, nine years later, he made his Major League debut in 2017. It is a rare case. It was possible because his potential was recognized even though it did not explode.토토사이트 순위
Given his age, attention is focusing on whether Higashioka, who started to show off his potential at a time when he deserves to be treated as a veteran, will be able to secure his first starting position. At the current pace, he will be able to easily break his own record of 92 games played in a season last year.