A late-night phone call turned into a life-changing morning for pitcher Takato Ogata, who was traded to the DeNA BayStars in a sudden move that caught him off guard.
Ogata, known for his blazing fastball, admitted that he was still asleep when the call came at 7:30 a.m. “I was sleeping,” he recalled with a wry smile. Shortly after, a teammate spent about 30 minutes briefing him on what to expect with his new team, DeNA.
“I definitely can throw 160 km/h,” Ogata said confidently, referring to his pitch speed that often touches triple digits. The right-hander, who was with his previous club before the trade was announced, expressed a sense of destiny about the move. “There’s a connection. It feels like fate,” he said, suggesting that he has always felt a pull toward the BayStars organization.
The trade came as a surprise to many in the baseball world, but Ogata is ready to embrace the challenge. With his powerful arm and newfound motivation, he aims to make an immediate impact on DeNA’s pitching staff.
Fans are eager to see how Ogata’s electric fastball will translate into success in his new uniform. The BayStars hope his arrival adds depth to a team that is looking to compete at a high level in the upcoming season.
