On the 28th, Seibu Lions Lions manager Fumiya Nishiguchi (53) stated that he would be taking the 13 players selected in this fall's draft to next spring's training camp, saying, "For the time being, I will take the players selected up to the top three to the A group (first team)." He also expressed his hope that there might be a battle for the closer position for second-round pitcher Hakua Iwaki (22) from Chuo University.

Iwaki, who used his fastball as a weapon, mainly played as reliever at Chuo University. While the manager clearly stated that he would be used as a relief pitcher, he did not rule out the possibility of him being used as a closer, saying, "If he's really good after seeing him at training camp."

In addition to first-round draft pick Kojima (Meiji University), who declared on the day of the draft that he would "take him to the first-team spring training camp," Iwaki and third-round draft pick Akiyama (Chukyo University) will also accompany him to the training camp in Nango, Miyazaki. "They're unknown quantities, so there's no confidence in them. We'll see how much they improve by playing in games." The role model is Watanabe Satoshi, who was second-round draft pick last fall and became the core of the batting line-up. The final allocation decision will be made in mid-January. Will any rookies emerge from the first-team training camp and secure a spot on the first team for the opening day? (Onaka Ayami)