1.
slugger; heavy hitter; power hitter (especially in baseball)
A batter known for hitting the ball hard and often driving in runs with extra-base hits and home runs. Used primarily in baseball commentary and sports writing.
彼はチームの強打者だ。
He is the team's slugger.
四番には強打者が並んでいる。
The cleanup spot is filled with heavy hitters.
その投手は相手チームの強打者を三振に打ち取った。
The pitcher struck out the opposing team's slugger.
Compound of 強打 ('hard hit') and 者 ('person'). Refers to a batter with strong hitting ability, especially for extra-base hits and home runs. Almost exclusively used in a baseball context.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- チームの強打者: the team's slugger
- 強打者揃いの打線: a lineup full of heavy hitters
- 強打者を打ち取る: to retire a power hitter (as a pitcher)
- 球界屈指の強打者: one of the best sluggers in the baseball world
USAGE:
- A sports-journalism term; fans in casual conversation may also say スラッガー (from the English loanword) or ホームラン{打者|ホームランだしゃ} ('home run hitter').
- Contrasts with 巧打者 ('contact hitter; skilled batsman'), who hits for average rather than power.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- スラッガー: slugger — direct loanword, common in modern sports media.
- 好打者: good hitter — a batter with a reliable high average, not necessarily a power hitter.
- 長距離打者: long-ball hitter — emphasizes home-run distance specifically.