The press conference to announce the new recruits for Rakuten Eagles was held at a hotel in Sendai on the 5th. It was announced that pitcher Itsuki Ito (22), who was drafted second, will wear number 20.

Originally from Akita Prefecture, he spent his junior and senior high school years in Miyagi. "I'm happy to be able to play as a member of a Tohoku team," he said. "The game will be held in Akita, so I want to do my best to fill Komachi Stadium with my strength," he said, vowing to draw many fans to the stadium with his powerful pitching.