Tsuyoshi Nishioka impresses Minnesota Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire – MLB News
The team officials have always noticed the debutants under pressure of expectations, but the case is different for Twins as new infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka amazed everyone at field with his performance in first Spring Training game against the Boston Red
Sox on Sunday, February 27.
Nishioka impressed manager Ron Gardenhire with his speed and tremendous performance with the glove and the bat. His phenomenal speed while trying to get to first-base after hitting a ground-out to Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett was brilliant.
Tsuyoshi is turning out to be the Twins best prospect as he is constantly putting on a show of his tremendous talent and skill. He managed to steal and RBI single off the Red Sox Hideki Okajima during the game.
"He hit a rocket," Gardenhire said. "It was a great swing, but I watched him run down the line. He can fly. I mean we know he can run, but he was flying. That is kind of, what we like. Nishi made, I think, three great plays out there, not easy plays.”
Other players on the Twins’ team are also taking notice of Nishioka’s amazing efforts. Carl Pavano, starter for the Twins, commented on how Alexi Castilla and Nishioka have managed to play well together as both are putting in consistent performances. He
has been impressed with how well both players are managing to stay in form.
In 2003, Nishioka started playing baseball for the Chiba Lotte Marines. He was a pinch hitter and then became a switch hitter. He managed to get 300 RBIs and an amazing 55 home-run with a .293 average.
Nishioka looks all set to make a mark with the Twins as the regular season is getting close. There is no doubt that he will make a lasting impression on the fans and the other teams as he takes to the field in style.
Although this is his rookie year in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins, it will be interesting to see how Gardenhire uses this talented player during the regular season.
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