Nippon-Ham Jiei Okawa (pitcher) of Meiji University, the first overall pick in the draft by the National League's National League Baseball Hall of Fame, signed a tentative contract with a salary of 13 million yen per year, plus a 100 million yen signing bonus (estimated amount). The right-hander, who boasts a top speed of 155 kilometers per hour, put in a strong effort, saying, "I want to pitcher make the fans and the leadership think that if this guy throws, I'll be okay.
As Meiji University's guardian angel, he pitched in nine games this fall, allowing only one runs and ERA of 0.75, making a major contribution to the school's first undefeated championship since the fall of 1996. "I've grown so much. Not just in baseball, but in my personal life and behavior as well," he said, looking back on his four years of great progress.
His idol is Char Aznable, a character from the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series. The character is the greatest rival of Amuro Ray, the protagonist of the original Gundam, and is nicknamed the "Red Comet" because of his red mobile suit. Okawa modestly commented, "I guess it's that he never becomes the protagonist until the end. To be honest, I feel like I'm not the protagonist in my current baseball career, so he's similar to me." He then went on to say, "Even if I'm not the protagonist, I want to be someone who is down-to-earth and charismatic."
The scout in charge of him, Kazunori Yamamoto, also seems to be in love with him, saying, "His greatest appeal is his fastball, which consistently exceeds 150 km/h. The quality of his fastball in particular is extremely high." He will perform well from his first year and become a shining "blue comet" in the northern land.
◆Okawa J. was born on October 28, 2003 in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa. He is 22 years old. He started playing baseball at Hiratsuka Little League in his third year at Nadeshiko Elementary School, and while at Hamatake Junior High School he was selected for the Kanagawa Prefecture East Japan Hochi All-Star team with Shonan Boys. He played in the Spring Koshien tournament in his third year at Joso Gakuin. He made his league debut at Meiji University in the fall of his second year. He has pitched in a total of 34 league games, with a record of 4 wins and 1 loss and ERA 2.91. His younger brother, Kei, is a first-year student at Tokai University. He is 180 cm tall and weighs 75 kg. He throws right and bats left.
Related News
・ Nippon-Nippon-Ham acquires the negotiating rights for Meiji University's Jiei Okawa, a right-handed pitcher with a maximum speed of 155 km/h, as the first pick. "The most glamorous team."
・ The Meiji University duo of Seibu 's No. 1 pick Taiga Kojima and Nippon-Ham No. 1 pick Jiei Okawa are from the Boys League. Their mentor talks about their junior high school days... 11 players selected from the East Japan block
・ [Nippon-Ham] First-round draft pick, Meiji University's Yoshihide Okawa: "I believe I'm the worst in practice, but I'm the best in games." - The teachings of his mother who participated in the Olympic Volleyball Team
・ [College baseball] Meiji University wins five straight games to start the season. Closer Jiei Okawa finishes with a string of 150 km/h pitches.
・ [College baseball] Meiji University is on the verge of winning all 10 games for the second time in 29 years Nippon-Ham first draft pick, Yoshihide Okawa, said, "First of all, we want to win the championship with a perfect record."
