Nippon-Ham Minato Handa infielder (18) of Nichidai Fujisawa, the fourth overall pick by the Japan National University of Athletics (JNU), was greeted by scouts Takashi Ohbuchi and Koichi Sakamoto at the school in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, on April 29. He expressed his aspirations with a smile, saying, "I want to be a player who can make people smile and make Japan excited.
He hit a total of 24 Home Run in high school, but rather than his power as a long hitter, he is a mid-range hitter with outstanding hitting ability. He is a shortstop who makes good use of his good arm in defense and is also fast, making him an all-around short stop is good at running, hitting, and defense. Scout Sakamoto, who has been watching him closely for three years and has fallen in love with him, revealed his appeal, saying, "He has a wonderful personality. He is very good at batting using his head. This is something he was born with. He can hit the ball over 100 meters without overswinging."
With a bright personality, he is the one who livens up the team and the school. At the sports festival, he danced in the middle to CUTIE STREET's hit song "Kawaii Dake Ja Dame Desu Ka?" and was a big hit. It may have been fate that his first coach in his professional career was the party man, Coach Shinjo Tsuyoshi. "I hope I can become a player who can liven up the atmosphere like Coach Shinjo and be loved by people," he said with a laugh.
The name Minamiju comes from his father's love of stars, who wanted him to "become someone who shines like the Southern Cross." His first goal as a professional is to "absolutely become the leading hitter." While the Southern Cross cannot be seen in the northern lands, Handa aims to become a shining "star."
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