The 2025 professional baseball draft was held on the 23rd, with DeNA and Softbank competing, with Softbank winning the negotiation rights for Stanford University's Rintaro Sasaki.

Chief Board Member Kenji Jojima commented, "His case is unique and he won't be able to start right away at the start of next season, but he's an attractive player worth the risk," and added, "If he has the opportunity to join our team, I would love for him to do well."

CBO Shiroyama offered his support, saying, "We respect whether you choose Japan or America, but if the opportunity arises, we would love your help in supporting Kyushu's spectacular baseball. Let's do it together."

▼ Rintaro Sasaki

Height / Weight: 184 cm / 113 kg

Throwing/batting: Right-handed pitching/Left-handed pitching

Position: infielder

Date of birth: April 18, 2005

(Nippon Broadcasting System Show Up Nighter)