Sports · Baseball · 3 hrs ago
Trevor Bauer says Japanese baseball is boring but praises hitters’ contact skills
Former DeNA pitcher Trevor Bauer criticised Japanese baseball in an Instagram video posted on October 23.
Bauer said batters often foul off pitches to prolong their at-bats, rather than trying to hit for power.
He described this style as boring to watch, saying it can force starting pitchers to throw many pitches and leave games early.
But Bauer also praised Japanese hitters’ remarkable ability to make contact, including hitting difficult pitches that had bounced.
He said power hitters are less common, and described an approach built around singles and running to create scoring chances.
Bauer won a Cy Young Award in Major League Baseball and recorded 10 wins with a 2.76 earned-run average in Japan in 2023.
He is now playing for the Mexico City Red Devils in the Mexican League.
Trevor Bauer said Japanese baseball was not enjoyable to watch, criticizing hitters for prolonging at-bats by fouling off pitches.
He said Japanese hitters often aim to make contact rather than hit the ball safely.
Bauer praised their contact skills, saying they were at an incredible level and that they rarely strike out.
He made the remarks in an Instagram Reel posted on October 23 while speaking with teammates and staff.
Bauer played for DeNA in Japan and recorded 10 wins with a 2.76 ERA in 2023.
- Who
- Trevor Bauer, a former DeNA pitcher.
- What
- He criticized Japanese baseball as uninteresting but praised Japanese hitters’ contact skills.
- When
- He spoke in an Instagram Reel posted on October 23; the year is not stated.
- Where
- In an Instagram Reel filmed in a dugout; the country is not stated.
- Why
- He said Japanese hitters often foul off pitches and focus on making contact rather than hitting for power.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bauer posted an Instagram Reel in which he discussed Japanese baseball with teammates and staff.
Bauer recorded 10 wins and a 2.76 ERA while playing in Japan.
- Player
- Trevor Bauer
- Former Japanese team
- DeNA BayStars
- 2023 record
- 10 wins, 2.76 ERA
- Video platform
- Instagram Reels
- Posting date
- October 23
3 sources
What people are saying
日本の野球はぶっちゃけて言っちゃうと全く面白くないんだ
タダね、ただ、日本人バッターのボールを当てる技術はマジで信じられないレベルなんだよ