Shogo Akiyama Determined to Lead the Carp to the CS: “We Have to Win” as Hiroshima Trails Third-Place DeNA by Six Games

Hiroshima Toyo Carp veteran outfielder Shogo Akiyama has expressed his determination to lead the team toward a postseason berth as the Carp enter the final stretch of the season.

Hiroshima currently sits in sixth place, but the team is only six games behind third-place DeNA in the race for a spot in the Climax Series. With 45 games remaining, Akiyama believes the Carp are still within striking distance.

“If you look at the standings, we're in last place, but we're still within six games of third place,” Akiyama said.

Akiyama has also been producing at the plate during the team's difficult stretch. He is batting .346 in August and has started four consecutive games.

On August 2 against the Chunichi Dragons, Akiyama hit a go-ahead home run. Four days later against the Yomiuri Giants, he recorded two hits while making his first career start as Hiroshima's cleanup hitter.

At 38, Akiyama understands that his role is about more than simply producing hits.

“I have to help us win,” he said. “I can't do everything by myself, but I have to make sure that my attitude and the way I play have some kind of positive impact on the team.”

One of Akiyama's priorities is helping Hiroshima's younger players develop.

During practice, he actively communicates with younger players such as Takuto Nohara and Taisei Sasaki. Rather than simply offering encouragement, Akiyama said he is willing to give direct criticism when necessary.

“Sometimes it's not enough to just be kind and comfort each other. There are times when I have to say things pretty directly. It's difficult, but I feel that I have to say what needs to be said and make sure they understand it.”

Akiyama's approach comes from his own experiences as a young player. He still remembers advice given to him by veteran teammates earlier in his career, including words that helped him through difficult periods.

“There are things that people said to me that have stayed with me for a long time,” Akiyama said. “Those words helped me, and there were periods when I was able to play freely because of them.”

Now he is trying to provide that same support to Hiroshima's younger generation.

At the same time, Akiyama is placing considerable emphasis on preparation and on the aspects of the game he can control.

He regularly spends time before games working on defensive plays and other fundamentals, believing that defense, baserunning and bunting can provide more reliable contributions than hitting alone.

“Whether you hit or not is something with a low probability of success. Of course, I give everything I have to hitting, but I feel better when I'm executing things like defense, baserunning and bunting properly.”

For Akiyama, thorough preparation is what allows him to perform when the team needs him most.

The Carp enter their upcoming series against the Yakult Swallows on a five-game losing streak, with their postseason hopes becoming increasingly difficult but still mathematically alive.

Akiyama, however, is not looking beyond the games immediately in front of him.

“As long as I have opportunities to play, I want to prepare properly and make sure I can do my job at the moments when the team needs to win.”

With 45 games remaining, the veteran outfielder is determined to contribute in every way possible—not only with his bat, but also through his defense, preparation and leadership of the young Carp players.

For Hiroshima, Akiyama's presence could become increasingly important as the team attempts to overcome its difficult position and make one final push toward the Climax Series.