On the 11th, Rakuten Eagles announced that former Rakuten Eagles players Yuya Fukui (37) and Tomoki Sato (25) will become academy coaches.

During his time at Waseda University, Fukui was a right-handed pitcher who was known as one of the "Waseda Three Crows" along with Yuuki Saito (formerly Nippon-Ham) and Tatsuya Oishi (formerly Seibu Lions). He joined Hiroshima as the first pick in the 2010 draft, and from 2019 he played for Rakuten Eagles for four years. He then played for Fukushima in the BC League, and has been a coach since 2024. "I would like to use my experience in professional baseball and independent leagues, including my four years with Rakuten Eagles, to convey the fun and wonder of baseball to the next generation of children. I look forward to working with you," he commented.

Sato is a left-handed pitcher who joined the team as the fifth pick in the 2018 draft from Yamagata Chuo. He played for Honda Suzuka in the amateur baseball for two years from 2012. "I am very grateful for the opportunity to be involved again with the team where I was a player until two years ago. With gratitude in my heart for everyone who has supported me until now, I will devote my efforts to the development of children and do my best to liven up Tohoku through baseball," he commented.