Seibu Lions outfielder Takuya Hiruma (25) attended the club office in Tokorozawa, Saitama on the 4th to renew his contract, signing a contract for an annual salary of 19 million yen, a 5 million yen reduction (estimated amount).
He joined the team as the first pick in the 2022 draft and in his third year as a pro, he played in just 12 games, his lowest total to date, and hit no Home Run for the first time in his third year. With a batting average of .176, he has not played in a first-division game since the game against Hanshin Tigers on June 11th (Belluna D), and he commented, "To be honest, I think I lost sight of myself in some ways, and I worked on a lot of different things to get better, but...I really just wandered around. It was a disappointing year."
Looking ahead to next season, which will be a crucial one, he said, "I am aware that I have to do my best since I was drafted first, and I also feel frustrated that I am not living up to the voices of the fans.I think my batting is the most important thing, so I hope I can make an impression there."
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・ [Seibu Lions] Reon Murata renewed his contract for 9.5 million yen, an increase of 2 million yen. This season he hit his first professional Home Run as a pinch hitter, "aiming for the required number of at-bats."
[Seibu Lions] Takayoshi Yamamura renews his contract for 23 million yen, an increase of 8 million yen. He is expected to hit double-digit Home Run and starting line-up for the entire season.
[Seibu Lions] Third-year right-hander Haruto Yamada renews his contract for 30 million yen, more than four times his salary. "I will remain injury-free for another year next season."
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Kazuya Katsuki, who has played in 109 games, signs for 4.8 million yen... He's down 5kg from his 91kg weight. "I'm on a hotpot diet, skipping rice at night."
[Seibu Lions] Fourth-year right-hander Masaya Kuroda renews his contract with an annual salary of 7.3 million yen, an increase of 1 million yen. "I'm no longer satisfied at all."
