Oakland Athletics Shintaro Fujinami is struggling even after moving to the bullpen. The formula of ‘Fujinami’s start = conceded’ is on the verge of being established.
On the 29th (Korean time), Fujinami pitched in relief in the 2023 Major League Cincinnati Reds home match held at Ring Central Coliseum in Oakland, California, USA, but was sluggish with 2 hits, 3 walks, 1 strikeout and 2 runs (2 earned) in 1 inning. did. The season ERA
is 13.00, a series of disappointments. Fujinami challenged the major leagues through the posting system prior to this season. And he signed a contract with Oakland for 3.25 million dollars (approximately 4.3 billion won) for one year and succeeded in stepping on the big league stage. Fujinami went 3-0 with an ERA of 3.86 in 5 demonstration games, and took a place in the starting rotation.
But his joy was short-lived. In his debut match, Fujinami pitched his worst pitch, giving up 8 runs in 2⅓ innings against the Los Angeles Angels. And even before the Tampa Bay Rays, he failed to rebound with 5 runs in 4⅓ innings. Fujinami recorded a quality start (less than 3 earned runs in 6 innings) against the New York Mets on the 16th, but after repeating pitching 2⅓ innings and allowing 8 runs against the Texas Rangers on the 23rd, he broke away from the starting lineup.
Fujinami’s biggest problem is control. Among them, manager Mark Katsei’s analysis was that he lacked confidence in his fastball. Coach Katsei removed Fujinami from the starting lineup, but switched his position to a bullpen pitcher so that he could adapt to the major leagues as well as gain confidence in his fastball. However, it is also disappointing in the bullpen. 먹튀검증
Fujinami started the game as the first bullpen pitcher against the Angels, who met again on the 27th. However, he was hit by ‘rival’ Shohei Otani, and was not helped by the defense, leaving the result of 2 innings and 1 run (visa book). And in the game on the 29th, he dedicated 2 runs while blocking 1 inning.
Fujinami climbed the mound at the beginning of the 8th inning, 5-8, in a crisis with one out and second base. Fujinamine struck out Spencer Steer, the first batter, to put out the urgent fire, but the follow-up hitter, Tyler Stevenson, hit a timely hit and allowed the successor to score. However, he seemed to be playing a scoreless game after a long time, ending the inning without allowing any additional runs. The problem was episode 9.
Fujinami, who was on the mound in the ninth inning as well, gave up a walk to lead batter Henry Ramos, followed by consecutive walks to Nick Senzel and Stuart Fairchild, risking the bases loaded safely. Fujinami turned the follow-up hitter, Jose Barrero, into a straight hit at shortstop, but the bench no longer trusted him. Fujinami went down the mound without finishing the inning, and Sam Mall, who took over the mound, hit Jonathan India with two RBIs in a timely manner, and Fujinami’s earned run increased.
As much as it is steadily sluggish, criticism against Fujinami is pouring endlessly. According to Japan’s ‘Tokyo Sports’, fans on social media said, “If you look at Fujinami’s stats, he’s the worst pitcher ever”, “Fujinami go back to Japan”, “Fire Fujinami. It’s humiliating to wear an Oakland uniform.” etc. were overflowing.