On the 8th, Orix Buffaloes catcher Kenya Wakatsuki attended contract negotiations at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka, and signed a contract for an annual salary of 180 million yen, an increase of 50 million yen (estimated amount). The multi-year contract with a variable salary that he signed in the offseason of 2023 will continue into next season. "I was well evaluated. I was told that I really led the team," he said with a smile.
Wakatsuki is injury-resistant and known for his excellent defense abilities, which he uses to his advantage with a strong arm. This season, his 12th year as a pro, he beat out Mori, who was also born in 1995, and was the starting catcher in 99 games. He played in 121 games throughout the season, batting .272 with six Home Run and 31 RBI. Including the opening game against Rakuten Eagles on March 28th (Kyocera Dome Osaka), he hit three walk-off runs in a season, tying the team record.
His partner also recorded 100 hit in a season for the first time in his career. "I think it's too good to be true, but if I think this result is too good to be true, it shows how much I've grown. It has given me a renewed desire to aim for even greater heights," he concluded.
He is also serving as the players' association president for the second time this season, and has requested that the team take measures to combat humidity. "It's a dome stadium, and Maishima is close to the sea, so it's inevitable that the equipment gets damp... I'd like to see improvements made to that kind of thing," he said, calling for the installation of drying rooms and other facilities in the future.
He will also play in the Samurai Japan training match against South Korea (Tokyo Dome) in November, and there is a strong possibility that he will be in contention for the starting catcher position at the WBC in March next year. He has won the Best Battery Award for three consecutive years since Orix Buffaloes when he was with the Dodgers' Yamamoto, who is also likely to play, and contributed to two no hitter. "I will prepare as if I will be selected. I think it will be an experience beyond my imagination, so I'm really looking forward to it if I am selected," he said with shining eyes.
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