St. Louis Cardinals Lars Nutba revealed the background to joining the World Baseball Classic (WBC) team in Japan. 스포츠토토A word from Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter of Shohei Otani (LA Angels), had a big impact.
Nutba was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 8th round of the 2018 draft with the 243rd overall pick. Nutba played the minor leagues in three years and stepped on the big league stage in 2021. In the first year of his debut, Nutba played an active role with 26 hits, 5 homers, 15 RBIs, 15 runs, a batting average of 0.239 OPS and 0.739 in 58 games, and succeeded in leaping to the starting lineup last year.
Nutba played 108 games in the 2022 season and recorded 66 hits, 14 home runs, 40 RBIs, 53 runs, a batting average of 0.228 OPS and 0.788. Nutba was a hitter who had 19 career home runs in four seasons in the minor leagues. However, at some point last year, he showed off the power to jump over the fence and recorded a double-digit home run, properly taking a ‘snow stamp’.
In the case of the WBC, his parents’ nationality can also compete, but thanks to his mother’s Japanese nationality, Nutba will participate in the WBC Japan team to be held in March. According to Japan’s ‘Full Count’, Nutba recently appeared on a podcast hosted by Ben Verlander (FOX Sports Baseball Analyst), the younger brother of Major League Baseball’Living Legend’ Justin Verlander, and revealed the background to participating in the WBC with the Japanese national team.
Nutba’s promotion to the Japanese WBC national team was largely helped by Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. According to ‘Full Count’, Nutba opened the door by saying, “I had the idea that there were possibilities and qualifications because her mother holds Japanese nationality, but when I was in Milwaukee, Ippei Mizuhara contacted me.”
Ippei reached out to Nutba via Instagram DM and asked “how interested he is in the Japanese national team” and said he would “send whatever documents you need”. In response, Nutba explained, “Of course I’m interested,” adding, “It took me a while to see if I was qualified and if the Japanese side was interested in me.”
Ippei, including Ohtani, had no ties to Nutba, but Ippei’s words led to Nutba joining the national team. Nuthba said, “When I received the message on Instagram, I felt like, ‘This is the best. There will never be such a joyous event.
Even her Japanese mother was delighted with Nutba joining the Japanese national team. Nutba said, “I can represent the country my mother grew up in. My mother helped me and sacrificed every day. Joining the Japanese national team is a special thing for my mother to receive attention.” It feels like it’s done,” he said.
Finally, Nutba said, “The Japanese national team are probably the most talented players ever. It’s a wonderful experience to be with them. I’ve been looking forward to seeing them play and being on a team like Ohtani, especially. I can play with young players. It will be a very special experience,” he said, looking forward to joining the Japanese national team.