Sho Nakata discusses elite NPB players Kishi and Nakamura

Former professional baseball player Sho Nakata shared insights regarding elite NPB players during an appearance on the Pacific League TV YouTube channel.

Discussing Rakuten Eagles pitcher Takayuki Kishi, Nakata highlighted Kishi’s dominance, particularly at the Sapporo Dome. Nakata noted that the mound conditions there allowed Kishi to throw with exceptional effectiveness, making his fastball more lively and his curveball nearly impossible to hit because it would deviate from the batter's line of sight. Nakata ranked Kishi’s curveball alongside Falkenberg’s as some of the most difficult to manage.

Nakata also spoke about his respect for Itsuki Nakamura, describing him as a “true home run hitter.” He recounted an anecdote from his playing days when he sought advice from Nakamura on how to hit more home runs. Nakamura provided a simple response regarding the mechanics of the swing, which Nakata initially found baffling but later realized reflected the mindset of a natural genius. Nakata recalled being stunned by Nakamura’s ability to execute his predictions, such as hitting a home run directly to the back of the screen after stating he would do so.