Rakuten Rui Muneyama

◆ "He's an attractive player that I would like to use at first." Will he be in the starting starting line-up?

Rakuten 's first draft pick, Rui Muneyama, started as the seventh batter and shortstop in the exhibition game against Hiroshima on the 1st. In the second inning, he made bad throw to first base on a ground ball from Hiroshima's Fabian, recording his first professional error, but in the eighth inning he hit a right-handed hit and successfully demonstrated his batting skills with a .300 batting average in the exhibition game.

Munesada's play, which is attracting more and more attention with each passing day, was closely watched by the commentators on Fuji TV ONE's "Professional baseball News 2025," which aired on the 3rd.

Manaka Mitsuru declared, "He still has some issues with defense, but I think he'll be used at shortstop from the opening game." He particularly praised Muneta's batting, saying, "He swings the bat from the top position in one hit. There's no waste, he swings the bat simply. He doesn't move his body forward at all, and his batting is full of flair." He also praised Muneta, saying, "He's a golden rookie, and I think the manager would like to use him. His rivals include Itsuki Murabayashi, but I feel like I'd like to use him first. He's that attractive a player."

Kenji Koshino also analyzed, "I feel that he has good sense. He has a unique timing and his form doesn't break. He has a good balance, such as how to raise his leg against pitcher, and his axis doesn't shift. He is also good at light hits after being cornered." He added, "It's just started, but he has a good batting average and can play shortstop, so I think he will be used."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2025"