Fukuoka Softbank Hawks center fielder Yuki Yanagita has been one of the revelations of the 2014 season, and the Pacific League's player of the month for May said some of the credit belongs to future big league Hall of Famer Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez.

Speaking at Tokyo Dome last week before a game against the Chiba Lotte Marines, the 187-cm, 95-kg left-handed hitter told Kyodo News that tips he got from Rodriguez after the 2011 season have helped unleash his swing.

"After my first pro season, I played in Puerto Rico in winter league ball and Ivan Rodriguez was on the same team," Yanagita said. "Rodriguez taught me a way to time pitches."