Orix Buffaloes Seiya Yokoyama infielder (20) is about to come out of his shell in a big way. He is a future star candidate who was drafted first overall in the 2023 draft by Ueda Nishi (Nagano). His third year will be a real challenge. I want to do it with a strong mindset that I'm serious about getting a regular spot.

Last year, in his second year after graduating from high school, he had a batting average of .217 with two Home Run and 35 RBI in 96 games in the Western League. While the numbers themselves may not be what he was hoping for, he has been improving since the summer, hitting line drive to the middle of the Kyocera Dome in a game against Hiroshima on July 29th. He revealed that he has improved the position of the top of the bat so that he can swing it in the shortest distance, and commented with satisfaction, "I was able to grasp something intuitively, and express that in the game." Believing that dealing with fastballs and identifying balls as balls are the keys to improving his batting ability, during the Kochi camp in November he silently swung the bat, focusing on a more "efficient trajectory."

Although he has only played in 14 games in total for the first team, his full swing with number 34 uniform is reminiscent of Yoshida Masataka (Red Sox) in the past. "If I can play in a variety of positions, I'll have more opportunities to play." In addition to his main position of shortstop, he is also practicing third and second base, and intends to intimidate regulars like Kurebayashi, Mune, Hirooka, and Ota. His physical abilities, including a 50-meter dash time of 6.3 seconds and a long throw of 120 meters, and his exceptional baseball sense are the best on the team. He is on the verge of blossoming. (Nambu Shunta)

◆Yokoyama Seiya Born October 28, 2005 in Nagano Prefecture. 20 years old. At Ueda Nishi High School, he was on the bench from his first year in the spring, and became a regular shortstop from his second year in the spring. He also pitcher, with a top speed of 149 km/h. He hit a total of 30 Home Run in high school. He joined Orix Buffaloes as the first pick in the 2011 draft. His career batting average in 14 games is .143. He is 181 cm tall and weighs 86 kg. He throws right-handed and bats left-handed.