Liberato Still Waiting for First Homer; Coach Goto Values Defense and OBP More

(CNA Reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, New Taipei, 18th) Luis Liberato, the foreign hitter for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), has not yet hit his first home run. Guardians coach Mitsutaka Goto said today that the outside world tends to equate foreign hitters with home runs, but the coaching staff's expectation for Liberato is to help the team with a high on-base percentage and solid defense.

The Guardians used their foreign player quota for a position player at the start of the season, bringing in Luis Liberato. So far this season, Liberato has played in 11 games for the first team, getting 12 hits in 44 at-bats. Only 3 of those hits were extra-base hits (all doubles), he has struck out 6 times, contributed 2 RBIs, and has yet to hit his first CPBL home run, posting a batting average of .273.

Before the game against the Uni-President 7-ELEVEn Lions at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium in New Taipei City, Goto was asked about Liberato's slugging performance. He said the coaching staff's expectation for Liberato has never been just home runs. The outside world might equate foreign position players with home runs, but he hopes people won't keep discussing the home run topic, as it puts pressure on the player.

He stated that the coaching staff will not demand Liberato to hit many home runs. They hope to rely on Liberato's wide defensive range, raise his on-base percentage and batting average, and help the team in this manner.