On the 3rd, Seibu Lions Lions manager Fumiya Nishiguchi (53) expressed his intention to have first-round draft catcher Taiga Kojima (22) (Meiji University) concentrate on catcher. Although his batting ability is also a strength, he stated, "For now, I'm only considering catcher." The battle for the starting catcher position will unfold from spring training, where he is sure to start in the first team.
It's not easy to become a regular player. Last season, Koga Yu started the most games on the team, 95 times. The manager urged him, saying, "His throwing is so good there's almost nothing more to say. To make the most of that, he needs to improve his lead a little more." Other players vying for the position include Sumitani, who is in his 21st season this season, as well as Tsuge, Furuichi, and Makino, making it a fierce battlefield.
Last season, when a young pitcher started, Sumitani was selected as starting line-up. There is a possibility that they will be used in tandem this season as well. The manager expressed his expectations for the rookie, saying, "We have so many different types of pitcher, so I think it will be really hard to figure out how to handle them. He will have to get into bullpen and catch well from camp, and learn little by little and grow." (Oonaka Ayami)
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