On the 24th, Softbank manager Hiroki Kokubo spoke for the first time about Stanford University infielder Rintaro Sasaki (20), who was selected first overall in the draft on the 23rd. "I respect Masayoshi Son, so I'm a little different from the average person (baseball player)," he said with a smile.
The manager will be absent from the draft meeting to focus on preparations for the Japan Series, leaving the decision to the front office. When asked about his impression of the slugger who hit a total of 140 Home Run in high school, he said, "I've never seen him, so I don't know." He is also eligible for the MLB draft in July next year, and negotiations to join the team will begin at the earliest in May, when the college season ends. Even if he does join the team, it will be an unusual timing, but he respected the team's decision, saying, "It's a special case. He won't be a valuable asset next year, but we'll think about his future."
Related News
・ [Photo] CBO Kenji Jojima, who drew Rintaro Sasaki, looks smug!
・ Shohei Ohtani cheers on his Hanamaki Higashi High School junior, Rintaro Sasaki, saying, "In the end, it's your own feelings that matter." He was a surprise first-round pick in the draft the day before, and Softbank acquired the right to negotiate with him.
・ [Chunichi] Taiga Ishikawa of Kakegawa Nishi, the second-ranked development player, is "relieved" after being drafted... His bond with Koshien members is a big boost
・ [Softbank] Sasaki Rintaro is the surprise first-round pick... CBO Jojima shows his competitive spirit in the lottery: "There were some good winning tiles left."
・ "What an amazing time we live in," says Nagashima Kazushige, impressed with Sasaki Rintaro, who is likely to be in draft competition from both MLB and NPB... "Morning Show"
