Nippon-Ham infielder Kotaro Kiyomiya (26) attended contract renewal negotiations at the team office in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, on the 4th, signing a contract for an annual salary of 130 million yen, an increase of 50 million yen from this season. He joined the team as the top pick in the 2017 draft, after competing with seven other teams, including The Giants. On breaking the milestone in his ninth year next season, he said, "Finally... it's been a while. It's a status symbol, so I'm happy, but there's still a long way to go." After hitting rock bottom in 2021, not even making a first-team appearance, Koshien star is steadily climbing the ladder.

This season, he played in 138 games, the most on the team, with a batting average of .272 and 143 hit, second in the league. "It was good that I was able to play all year, but the number of home run I hit wasn't enough. More (Reyes) hit 32, so I'd like to hit 30 as well," he said, aiming for a significant increase from the 12 he hit this season.

It was his mother's birthday, and he said, "I've already bought a present for her." He had already prepared the presents he gives her every year. Last year, he gave her a knitted hat and a scarf, showing his gratitude to his mother.

He will take up the role of player's association president from next season. "I want to act in a way that makes people say I'm the face of The Fighters, both on the field and in my everyday life." He will become the face of Shinjo-Ham in both name and reality. (Haruki Kawakami)

Related News

・ [Photo] Kotaro Kiyomiya takes a photo with his younger brother Fukutaro!
・ [Photo] Kotaro Kiyomiya: "This is my treasure!" His uniform is "actually..."
・ [Photo] Kotaro Kiyomiya releases a photo with a former Waseda Jitsugyo High School legend
・ [Photo] Kotaro Kiyomiya, a photo of him with his father as a child
・ [Photo] Kotaro Kiyomiya, a photo with the legend who is returning to active duty for one day only