Shota Hiranuma (28), outfielder who transferred from Seibu Lions to Orix Buffaloes through the active player draft, held an introductory press conference at the team's facilities in Maishima, Osaka on the 16th. He acknowledged his current position, saying, "I haven't broken through my shell since becoming a pro." He then set his sights on challenging his senior from Tsuruga Kehi High School, Nishikawa!

"I want to do well enough to take number 7 away. I'm not saying I want it, but..." Next season's number will be "61," which he will take over from Chano, who moved to Seibu Lions in the same active draft. Nippon-Ham In the 10 years he has been with Seibu Lions, he has neither won a championship nor reached the regulation batting average, and he is super serious: "It's a career high for me in every way.

Among the current draft class fielder, Hosokawa (DeNA → Chunichi) and Mizutani (Softbank Hawks → Nippon-Ham) have blossomed in their new teams. Hiranuma's strength lies in his ability to play every position except catcher, shortstop, and center field. He and Nishikawa are both left-handed hitter and are members of the joint voluntary training program centered around Softbank Hawks 's Kondo. Nishikawa was also pleased about their "teamwork," saying, "This is so much fun." He has one of the best singing voices in the baseball world, and his wife is the talent Morisaki Tomomi. "I was like, 'Is it really decided that suddenly?' but I was listening to 'Osaka LOVER' at night. I was totally ready to go," he said with a laugh. He's still only 28 years old. He's poised to awaken his potential and turn this into a great success story. (Osada Toru)