"I wasn't able to produce results on the first team stage when I was with The Hawks, so my strongest desire is to get revenge at Lotte. I want to become pitcher who can contribute to the team's strength and win. I will continue to work hard and do my best for the team."

Lotte's Hayato Miyazaki held a press conference on the 10th to announce his joining the team. number was decided to be "66," which was worn by Keisuke Sawada until this season.

Miyazaki, a southpaw, joined Softbank Hawks as an 8th-round pick in 2022 and was registered as a regular player midway through this season, his third year with the team. He pitched in two games, including a runs first inning against Lotte on August 5th, closer a 0.00 ERA. He also pitched in 31 games for the farm team, with a record of 2 wins, 3 losses, 3 saves, and a 2.57 ERA, but was released after the season ended.

He revealed that when he received the call from Lotte, he "did a fist pump," and spoke frankly, saying, "I had a strong desire to get revenge in the first team. And then I was given this opportunity, so when I heard I'd been put on the contract, I naturally did a fist pump and felt like, 'Yes!'"

"I've only been a reliever for the three years I've been with The Hawks, so I want to do my best as reliever," he said, expressing his hope to pitch as a relief pitcher for Lotte as well.

In order to win the competition for the relief pitcher position, Miyazaki said enthusiastically, "I think my greatest weapon is being able to throw a powerful fastball. I hope I can show that I can compete with a fastball."

Not only fastball, but his drop ball to right-handed hitter was also very good. I wonder what kind of breaking ball he will use as his weapon.

"Rather than thinking of it as breaking ball, I think of it as me throwing breaking ball to make the most of my fastball.I throw breaking ball while thinking about how I can make the most of my fastball."

Looking ahead to his fourth year as a pro, he stated his determination, saying, "First of all, I want to establish myself in the first team from the start and aim to pitch well enough to last the entire season." He will win the competition and make this a fulfilling year.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita