"I've always been committed to short stop, so I still have feelings for that position, and if I can hold onto that position again, I'll always want to compete for it."

Lotte's Yudai Fujioka has announced that he will try out for short stop position next season.

Fujioka played as the short stop shortstop from his professional debut until 2023, but was converted to second baseman in 2024. This season, he appeared in 102 games, batting .256 Home Run and 25 RBI.

Fujioka said, "I don't know yet where I'll be playing, but I want to be prepared for any position by the time spring training begins." However, when asked by reporters about his preference for short stop, he said, "I think the player who can play the most consistently should play that position, and the middle infielders also have to be aware of their surroundings, and there are a lot of signs. It's a position that requires a strong sense of responsibility. I feel it's a very rewarding position."

He also decided to stay with the team this offseason without exercising his domestic free agency rights. "I wanted to win here, and I feel I need to carry that with me from next year onwards," he said, tightening his resolve.

Next January, he will train with Kondo Kensuke (SoftBank) and others, as he has done in previous years. "We're still practicing together here, so I think we'll be able to start Softbank Hawks training in better shape than Kensuke Kondo year." He will try again at short stop and shine once more.