Softbank infielder The team was competing with DeNA, but Chief Baseball Officer Kenji Jojima (CBO, 49) won the lottery for the right to negotiate with the rest of the lucky winners.
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It seems that Rintaro's side is willing to listen to Softbank 's proposal. According to sources, he is grateful to the team, which has been watching him since his days at Hanamaki Higashi High School, and is grateful to his father, the school's head coach, Hiroshi (50). They are both loyal fathers and sons. Also, considering that he has previously spoken on television about his admiration for Softbank Group founder Masayoshi Son, it seems unlikely that they would close the door from the start.
Rintaro, who entered the prestigious Stanford University with the aim of balancing his studies and baseball, is determined to play his second season as planned. The earliest he will be able to negotiate and sign a contract is after the league games in May of next year. The College World Series, which determines the best university in the US, will be held in June of the same year. If he advances in post season tournament, negotiations may begin after June.
The deadline for negotiations with players studying abroad is the end of July next year. The MLB draft is scheduled for mid-July, and it is possible that Rintaro, who turns 21 in April next year, will be selected. The outcome is unclear.
Hiroyuki Kinoshita (49), who is close to Hiroshi and also provides personal support to Rintaro, said before the draft, "Rintaro's answer will become clear depending on his performance at Stanford University next season." Japan or the majors? It all depends on what kind of results he can achieve in the United States next year. (Amateur baseball Desk, Takahashi Hiroji)
While Sasaki did not respond to interview requests, Nice Guy Partners, which Kinoshita personally supports, released a press release on the 23rd titled "Regarding Sasaki Rintaro." After being selected first overall by two teams, and Softbank acquiring the negotiating rights, the player expressed his gratitude, saying, "The player himself is truly honored, and the truly high evaluation he has received is a great encouragement. First of all, I would like to thank everyone." At the same time, the company also stated, "Nothing has been decided or moved forward right now," and that Rintaro will be focusing on his studies and club activities for the time being, so he has no plans to respond to interviews.
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