Less than a year after playing his first professional season with the Mumbai Cobras of Baseball United, pitcher Akshay More has signed a contract with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
More impressed Lions scouts during a tryout held in June with his athleticism, according to a press release from the World Baseball Softball Confederation announcing his signing. The 6-foot-4 righty has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, as well as a splitter, sinker, changeup and curveball.
“I am deeply grateful to the Lions for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” More said in the WBSC’s press release. “I will do my best to contribute to the team’s victories while learning as much as I can from my teammates and coaches. I will continue to work hard every day, never forgetting to be humble, and grow into a player the fans can trust. I look forward to the day I can meet you all.”
Over 14 2/3 innings in his first professional season, More won two games and led the league in that category, and also posted a 1.42 ERA, a 1.300 WHIP, and struck out 11 batters. He walked seven, so control is something he’ll have to improve upon, as it is with most young pitchers with live arms. In the best-of-three championship series, More started Game 2 and threw 3 1/3 innings, through which he allowed four hits, struck out one, and walked none, allowing only one earned run on a solo homer to left field by Mid East Falcons third baseman Gregori Cano.
believes More has all the ingredients to become an important success story, both for the club and for baseball in India.
“Pitcher More dreamed of playing baseball in Japan,” said Seibu Lions Director and General Manager Koji Hiroike in the WBSC’s press release. “His greatest strength is the extension he generates from his tall frame. Combined with a fastball that reaches 150 km/h and a complete selection of breaking pitches, he possesses tremendous potential. We hope he will develop significantly with the Lions and become a beacon of hope for people playing baseball in India.”
Photo: Mumbai Cobras righty Akshay More dazzled hitters with his fastball during Baseball United’s inaugural season. (Photo courtesy of Baseball United)
