Japan’s Matsuo stops stolen bases twice, Taiwan’s Song is CPBL Rakuten 1st Draft
On the 13th (14th Japan time), Japanese and Chinese Taipei catchers were in action at the “30th WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup” held in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Japan National Team “Samurai Japan” U-18 regular catcher Shion Matsuo (Osaka Toin) blocked two stolen bases, and Chinese Taipei catcher Song Zhixiang showed off his “explosive shoulders”.
The first was Matsuo’s shot. In the first inning with 2 outs and 2nd base, Chinese Taipei No. 1 infielder Qiu Shin blocked three steals with a quick throw. Then, Son also showed up with 2 outs and 1st base behind him. I stabbed Yoshinobu Kuroda, an outfielder (with Kyushu International University) who started the first run, with a low and powerful throw. In addition, Matsuo also prevented Chiu’s second steal with 2 outs and 1st base in the 2nd inning.
Matsuo wore a starting lineup mask in every game in this tournament, and Yankees scouts who scouted him praised him as “very good.” Son, on the other hand, is also a talented player who was nominated for 1st place by Rakuten Monkeys of CPBL. The official Twitter of the sponsored WBSC also posted a video of Son throwing with a surprised look, saying, “It’s perfect.”
Japan lost to Chinese Taipei 2-9 in this match, finishing second in Group B with 4 wins and 1 loss. If they win the Super Round, they may face each other again in the final or third place match. Will Japan and Taiwan be able to have a “strong armed conflict” once again?
