[Rakuten] "Without that, there's no value as a player." Yukiya Ito signed for 19 million yen, a 500,000 yen reduction, is focused on hitting long balls | Pacific League

[Rakuten] "Without that, there is no value as a player." Yukiya Ito signed for 19 million yen, a 500,000 yen reduction, is focused on hitting long balls.

Sports Hochi

2025.11.20(木) 18:15

Rakuten Yukiya Ito infielder (29) of the "Mere Old Man" went through contract negotiations at on March 20, and signed for 19 million yen, down 500,000 yen (all amounts are estimates). I was told by the team that since I am a right-handed hitter who can hit long balls, they wanted me to work hard on that," he said. I would like to work on my hitting one more time so that I can swing hard and hit the ball hard in all directions. Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi

He played in 51 games this season. In addition to his main position in the infield, he also played in left field, and performed well according to the team's situation, but his batting average of .214, one Home Run, and seven RBI were not satisfactory results. Looking ahead to next season, his ninth year, he wrote the word "nothing" on a colored paper. "I was worried about what others were saying and reacted to everything, and there were times when I couldn't organize my thoughts. It meant that I had to empty myself for a moment and incorporate only what was necessary, and only do what I had to do and what I believed in," he explained. He swung his bat mindlessly, producing a satisfying sound over and over again.