The Hiroshima Carp are expected to promote outfielder Shunsuke Tamura to the first team for their May 12 game against the Yomiuri Giants in Gifu. This marks his first call-up of the season. “I’ve been given opportunities but haven’t lived up to expectations. I want to go at it with the mindset that this could be my last chance,” Tamura said, showing his fighting spirit.
In 28 games with the farm team, Tamura hit .305 with one home run and 10 RBIs. He has been heating up recently, recording hits in six consecutive contests. After working closely with second-team hitting coaches Higashide and Mukai, he has focused on quicker timing at the plate. “I feel like I’m having better at-bats,” he expressed with confidence.
The 24-year-old hopeful, who was selected for the Samurai Japan roster in the spring of 2024, is now in his fifth professional season. Seeing fellow draftees from his class—first-rounder Hirakawa (Sendai University) and third-rounder Katsuta (Kindai University)—playing for the first team has fueled his motivation. “I want to join them and compete with a strong desire to win,” Tamura added.
