■NPB AWARDS 2024 supported by Lipovitan D (26th, Tokyo, New Takanawa Prince)

On the 26th, the Japan Baseball Organization held the “NPB AWARDS 2024”, an annual awards ceremony to honor players who have played an active role this year. The Rookie of the Year is Central League’s Taiga Funasaka (28, Giants). In the Pacific League, it was Natsuki Takeuchi (23, Seibu). The MVP award was won by Tomoyuki Kanno (35, Giants) for the Central League and Kensuke Kondo (31, Softbank) for the Pacific League.

At the NPB Awards, which concludes this year of professional baseball, trophies were presented to the previously announced best nine, title holders, and special award winners.

Two awards were announced at this ceremony: MVP (Most Valuable Player) and Rookie of the Year for both leagues, which were selected by press vote. The Giants’ Sugano won the Central League MVP award for the third time in four years since 2020, and the third time a pitcher has won the award is tied for the most in history, along with Hisashi Yamada (then Hankyu) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (then Orix). .

Sugano pitched in 24 games this season, posting a record of 15 wins and 3 losses, an ERA of 1.67, a winning percentage of .833, 156 2/3 innings, and 111 strikeouts. He won the title of having the most wins and the highest winning percentage.

Sugano, who appeared at the press conference with a smile on his face, said, “This was an unforgettable season in my baseball career,” and added, “This time last year, I don’t think there was anyone who thought that Sugano would win the MVP.” But I’m sure I can do it myself , I believed that I could still do more and spent time reconsidering myself. However, I believe that I am able to be here because of the help of many people, not just me.” He expressed his gratitude to those around him who supported him in his recovery from injury.

Looking ahead to next season, “I think the stage will change, but I am grateful that I will be able to take on a new challenge from now on, and I will work hard every day to grow both as a baseball player and as a person.” I think it’s great,” he vowed to play an active role in the major leagues.

The Pacific League’s MVP award is the first for Softbank’s Kondo, who was the only player in the league to maintain a .300 percentage and become the leading batter for the first time.This season, he played in 129 games and had a batting average of .314, 19 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a record high. He also marked when he was on base. Kondo said, “The first time I attended the award was in 2018, and when I saw the MVP award, I knew I wanted to win it someday, so I’m really happy that I was able to win it.” I made it.

This season, he was the only .300 hitter in the league, but said, “I think the level of pitchers has really improved, but what I do hasn’t changed, and I approach every year with the mindset that I want to constantly improve, so I don’t want to be left behind.” That’s something I’m conscious of so that it doesn’t happen.”

[List of NPB Award winners]

Central League Award Player

◆Best player
Tomoyuki Kanno (35, Giants) Third time in four years

◆Best Newcomer
Taiga Funasaka (28, Giant)

[Pitcher Division]
◆Best defense rate
Hiroto Takahashi (22, Chunichi) first time
◆Highest win rate
Tomoyuki Kanno (35, Giants) Second time in four years
◆Most wins
Tomoyuki Kanno (35, Giants) 4th time in 4 years
◆Most saves
R. Martinez (28, Chunichi) Second time in two years
◆Best Intermediate
Takuma Kirishiki (25, Hanshin) first
Shinya Matsuyama (24, Chunichi) first time
◆Most strikeouts
Seito Togo (24, Giant) Second time in two years

[Batter section]
◆Leading batter
T. Austin (33, DeNA) first
◆Most home runs
Munetaka Murakami (24, Yakult) Third time in two years
◆Most RBIs
Munetaka Murakami (24, Yakult) Second time in two years
◆Highest on-base percentage
D. Santana (32, Yakult) first
◆Most hits
Hideki Nagaoka (23, Yakult) first
◆Most stolen bases
Koji Chikamoto (30, Hanshin) 5th time in 3 consecutive years
■Federation special commendation
◆Best Director
Shinnosuke Abe (45, Giant)
◆Achievement Award
Norichika Aoki (42, Yakult)
◆Special award
Yuhei Nakamura (34, Yakult)

Pacific League Award Player

◆Best player
Kensuke Kondo (31, Softbank)

◆Best Newcomer
Natsuki Takeuchi (23, Seibu)

[Pitcher Division]
◆Best defense rate
L. Moinero (28, Softbank) first time
◆Highest win rate
Taikai Ito (27, Nippon Ham) first time
◆Most wins
Kohei Arihara (32, Softbank) Second time in 5 years
Taikai Ito (27, Nippon Ham) first time
◆Most saves
Kodai Norimoto (33, Rakuten) first
◆Best Intermediate
Ryusei Kono (26, Nippon Ham) first time
◆Most strikeouts
Tatsuya Imai (26, Seibu)
[Batter section]
◆Leading batter
Kensuke Kondo (31, Softbank) first time
◆Most home runs
Hotaka Yamakawa (33, Softbank) 4th time in 2 years
◆Most RBIs
Hotaka Yamakawa (33, Softbank) Second time in two years
◆Highest on-base percentage
Kensuke Kondo (31, Softbank) 2nd consecutive year and 4th time
◆Most hits
Ryosuke Tatsumi (27, Rakuten) first time
◆Most stolen bases
Yukyo Shuto (28, Softbank) 2nd consecutive year and 3rd time

■Federation special commendation
◆Best Director
Yuki Kokubo (53, Softbank)
◆Achievement Award
Takeshi Wada (43, Softbank)
◆Special award
Oka Omi (33, Lotte)
Ryosuke Tatsumi (27, Rakuten)

■Shoriki Matsutaro Award
Daisuke Miura (50, DeNA)
◆Special award
Shohei Otani (30, Dodgers)

[Best nine]

■Central League
Pitcher: Tomoyuki Kanno (35, Giants) 5th time in 4 years
Catcher: Yudai Yamamoto (26, DeNA) first time
First baseman: Kazuma Okamoto (28, Giants) First time (once as third baseman)
Second baseman: Naoki Yoshikawa (29, Giants) 8th year and first time
Third baseman: Munetaka Murakami (24, Yakult) Third time in two years (once as first baseman)
Shortstop: Hideki Nagaoka (23, Yakult) First time in 5 years
Outfield: D. Santana (32, Yakult) 4th year and first time, Seiya Hosokawa (26, Chunichi) 8th year and first time, Koji Chikamoto (30, Hanshin) 4th consecutive year and 4th time
■Pacific League
Pitcher: Kohei Arihara (32, Softbank) First time in 8 years
Catcher: Toshiya Sato (26, Lotte) First time in 5 years
First baseman: Hotaka Yamakawa (33, Softbank) 4th time in 2 years
Second baseman: Daisho Obukada (29, Rakuten) First time in 5 years
Third baseman: Takaya Kurihara (28, Softbank) First time in 10 years
Shortstop: Kenta Imamiya (33, Softbank) Fourth time in two years
Outfielder: Ryosuke Tatsumi (27, Rakuten) First time in 6 years, Kensuke Kondo (31, Softbank) 3rd time in 2 consecutive years (2 times as DH), Ukyo Shuto (28, Softbank) First time in 6 years *Development 7th year including
DH: F. Reyes (29, Nippon Ham) First year and first time