Source: Tigers Official
Johan Mieses, a 27-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, is the first of the overseas Hanshin Tigers to arrive in Japan. A press conference was held for him on the 27th in Nishinomiya. Here is a partial transcript.
ーHow do you feel now that you’re a member of the Hanshin Tigers?
I’m really happy to have been given this opportunity. I’m going to prepare well and make the most of this chance. I’ve already met some of my teammates in the locker room, and they seem like really nice guys. I will do my best to go out there and win a championship with them.
ーWhat is your impression of Japanese baseball?
I feel like there’s really good competition between teams and the pitchers have great control. I feel a little bit of pressure, but baseball is baseball, so I’m just going to keep doing what I have been doing up until now.
ーWhat are your strengths?
I feel that I have a lot of power, but it’s not all about home runs only. I want to get hits in every situation and put up a solid batting average, so obviously, power is important, but I want to focus on being a good all-round batter.
ーGive a message to the fans.
The fans’ strength is an important ingredient in winning a pennant, so let’s all go out there together and win!