The Lotte Marines' Roki Sasaki was named the pitcher of the month in Japan's Pacific League for March and April on Thursday.
It was the second monthly honor for the fireballing right-hander. The 21-year-old Sasaki previously won for March and April 2022, when he became Japan's youngest perfect-game pitcher and followed that with eight more perfect innings in his next start.
Sasaki began 2023 pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic before posting a 1.00 ERA in four starts, leading the PL with 38 strikeouts, and tying for the lead in wins with three.
"I had difficulty adjusting after the WBC, but managed to start the season in good form and I'm happy with that," Sasaki said.
"From my second start, I found myself pitching in series-opening games. Because I was going against many good pitchers, we weren't going to win unless I limited their scoring. But my teammates scored early for me and we were able to hold on to leads."
The PL's batter of the month award went to the Seibu Lions' Takeya Nakamura as the 39-year-old turned back the clock, belting seven home runs and leading the PL with a .727 slugging average and finishing runner-up in with a .364 batting average.
Nakamura's third monthly honor is his first since August 2018.
The Central League awards went to rookie Hanshin Tigers pitcher Shoki Murakami and veteran DeNA BayStars third baseman Toshiro Miyazaki.
In 25 innings through April, the 24-year-old Murakami went 2-0 while allowing one walk and no runs and striking out 23 batters. On April 12, he threw seven perfect innings against the Yomiuri Giants before being pulled for a pinch-hitter.
Before making his breakthrough in the top flight this spring, Murakami led Japan's minor Western League in ERA and winning percentage the last two seasons.
Through April, Miyazaki led the CL with a .444 batting average, a .520 on-base percentage and a .746 slugging average, while hitting four home runs and driving in 13 runs. This is the first monthly honor for the CL's 2017 batting champion playing in his 11th pro season.
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