Rakuten Eagles infielder Rui Muneyama (22) attended contract negotiations at his home base, Rakuten Eagles Mobile, on the 18th and signed a contract for an annual salary of 40 million yen, an increase of 24 million yen (all amounts are estimates).

Despite being a rookie, he made the opening starting line-up and played in 122 games this season. He also reached the required number of at-bats, becoming the first Pacific League rookie short stop to the Best Nine shortstop list in 44 years. He finished with a batting average of .260, 27 RBI, and 3 Home Run, and although he missed out on Rookie of the Year, he showed great performance from his first year. Looking ahead to next season, he vowed to improve his strength and show further growth, saying, "I want to be a batter that opponents are afraid of and don't want to bother me. I want to be able to hit more long hits."

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