[Seibu] Left-handed pitcher Shinya Sugai, who was brought up in the development team, will be included in the opening rotation for the first time and will make a triumphant return to the Tohoku region. "I hope I can pitch well."

Sports Hochi

2025.3.25(火) 20:46

Left-handed pitcher Shinya Sugai, who came up through the development team and made it into the opening rotation for the first time in his fourth year as a professional, was looking forward to his triumphant return to the mound.

Sugai was born in Nanyo City, Yamagata, and joined Seibu as the third pick in the 2021 development draft from Yamagata's Yamamoto Gakuen (now Seizan High School). This season, he is scheduled to pitch in the second opening game Rakuten (Rakuten Seimei Park), and will be making his first return to Tohoku as a starter. "I don't really think about it, but since it's close (from Yamagata), I think a lot of people will come to watch. I'm looking forward to it. I hope I can pitch well," he said, flashing his white teeth.

He pitched in two exhibition games with ERA of 0.00. He started improving his form this offseason in order to increase his pitching speed, but it didn't feel right, so he went back to the original form, improved his control, and secured a place in the opening rotation. "This is where I was aiming, so I'm really glad I can start there. I'm happy, but this is just the start, so I want to do my best." He signed a contract as a controlled player in June last year, and this is his first season with the first team. He will continue with the belief he has had since his days as a development player, "keep producing results," and make this a year of great progress.