Kosuke Tatsumi Chasing a Rare Stolen-Base Record as Carp Speedster Thrives as a Pinch Runner

Hiroshima Carp speedster Kosuke Tatsumi continues to make an impact with his legs, even though his role has been almost entirely limited to pinch-running appearances.

Tatsumi entered the game as a pinch runner on August 18 and promptly stole another base, bringing his season total to 21.

That puts him just four stolen bases away from the single-season record of 25 stolen bases achieved exclusively as a pinch runner.

The unusual achievement was highlighted on Fuji TV ONE's Professional Baseball News, where former player and manager Tatsuhiko Tsuji praised Tatsumi's ability to steal bases despite being heavily watched by opposing teams.

Tsuji pointed out that opposing teams clearly know what is coming when Tatsumi enters the game.

“They are watching him extremely closely. Everyone knows that when he comes into the game, he's going to run.”

Despite that level of attention, Tatsumi continues to take off successfully.

Tsuji particularly praised the courage required to get such an aggressive jump when the entire opposing team is expecting a stolen-base attempt.

“It's not just his ability to get a good start. He has the courage to actually take off.”

Tsuji also described Tatsumi's aggressive baserunning as representative of the style traditionally associated with Hiroshima baseball.

Tatsumi has quickly established himself as one of the Carp's most effective weapons off the bench. His ability to enter late in games, immediately put pressure on the defense and advance into scoring position gives Hiroshima an offensive option that is difficult to replicate.

The fact that he has already reached 21 stolen bases with such a specialized role makes the potential record particularly unusual.

With four more steals needed to reach 25, Tatsumi now has a rare record within sight.

And considering that opposing teams know exactly what he intends to do when he enters the game, the challenge may be less about simply having speed—and more about having the confidence to run when everyone is waiting for it.