Waseda University pitcher Ito Itsuki, who was selected by Rakuten as the second pick in the draft, received a nomination greeting at the school in Shinjuku, Tokyo on the 11th. He greeted Rakuten 's head of scouting, Aike Takashi, and scout in charge of Okihara Yoshinori, along with manager Komiyama Satoru, and shook hands with a smile. "I'm beginning to realize that I've reached the starting line of my dream of becoming a professional baseball player," he said.

Originally from Daisen City, Akita, he played for Rakuten Junior when he was in sixth grade. He will once again wear the uniform he once wore. "Since it will be my hometown team, I will do my best so that many people can watch," he said, expressing his enthusiasm. Regarding the game being held in Akita, he said, "I left my hometown and have grown up in many different environments. I want the local people to see that, and I want to pitch there and get good results." He showed his enthusiasm for his triumphant return.

While at Sendai Ikuei High School, Ito played in Koshien twice, in the summer of his first year and in the spring of his third year. At Waseda University, he contributed to the team's three consecutive league championships starting in the spring of his third year. He won 21 games in total, and pitched a no hit and no-run game against Meiji University in the spring of his fourth year. He was selected for the Japan University National Team in his third and fourth years. When asked about his goals for his first year, he said confidently, "I chose these four years to succeed as a professional. Winning Rookie of the Year or achieving double-digit win may be lofty goals, but I want to aim for them."

Related News

​Rakuten Draft No. 2 is Waseda University's Itoki Ito, who was born in Sendai Ikuei. In elementary school, he played for Rakuten Junior "I can wear the uniform again.
​Rakuten] Reimei Ito, the fifth overall pick in the draft, admires Hiroki Matsui of the Padres: "I want to work on my powerful straight line.
​Rakuten】"When I stand on ground, I'm dependable," Daiki Irie said Ito, who is a year younger than Reimei, "I'll be able to help the team by fighting together with the DRA 2 right fielder, Yuki Ito.
​Rakuten】Hanazono University's Satohiro Fujiwara, the No. 1 pick in the draft, was greeted with a greeting: "I want to be a player who can win a title around my third year.
​baseball】Rakuten Waseda University's Tatsuru Ito, the second overall pick in the draft, has won a total of 22 games, the most of any active player in Japan.