Fubon Guardians Manager Explains 'Gotoh Laboratory' Player Experiments

The Fubon Guardians' manager, Gotoh Mitsutaka, has sparked considerable fan discussion with his unconventional player assignments, earning the nickname "Gotoh Laboratory." In a recent game where the Guardians secured a decisive victory against the CTBC Brothers, Dong Tzu-en was notably deployed in left field, while Wang Nien-hao shifted to second base later in the game. These strategic moves have become a talking point among supporters.

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Surprise!

Gotoh revealed that he informed Dong Tzu-en of his outfield assignment just before the game's lineup was announced. "I had observed him during practice and felt he could play outfield, so I put him there," Gotoh explained. He described the decision as a "test of courage," acknowledging the significant bravery required to make such a call. Dong Tzu-en reportedly reacted to the news with a surprised "Surprise!," a sentiment Gotoh confirmed with a smile.

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I had observed him during practice and felt he could play outfield, so I put him there. Yesterday's game was a test of courage for me, a decision made with great courage.

During the game, Gotoh admitted to feeling some anxiety when balls were hit towards left field. He recalled a moment where he initially worried about Dong Tzu-en's positioning but was relieved when the player successfully made the catch. Gotoh emphasized that he did not place high expectations on Dong Tzu-en for his first outfield appearance, simply asking him to do his best and play his position. He acknowledged that the transition wouldn't be entirely smooth but assured that Dong Tzu-en would not be blamed for any difficulties.

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There was one ball hit to left field where I saw Tzu-en move forward, and I thought, 'We're done for,' but fortunately, he caught it.

Looking ahead, Gotoh indicated that Dong Tzu-en's potential deployment in the outfield could become a regular part of the team's strategy. Addressing the "laboratory" moniker, Gotoh stated that currently, no position in the team has a fixed player. His goal is to field the players in the best form, but he also recognizes the challenge of managing multiple players vying for the same position.

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For me, this team doesn't have any fixed players in any position yet. And I also want to try to put the players in good form on the field, but if it's the same position, it's hard to manage.