Softbank Hawks' fifth-round draft pick, infielder Takahashi Ryukei (JR East Japan), moved into the Young Hawks dormitory in Chikugo City, Fukuoka on the 5th. The 24-year-old, a promising right-handed long-range hitter, expressed his excitement, saying, "On my journey to Fukuoka, I really felt that I had become a member of Softbank Hawks and would be making a living as a professional baseball player."
At the end of the year, he trained with Hanshin Tigers 's outfielder Shota Morishita, who was a year ahead of him at Chuo University. He received a direct invitation and said, "Including travel, it took six days, and about four days of practice. I really packed it all in," as he worked up a sweat in Okinawa. Speaking to Morishita, who was a key player on last season's Central League champion team, he frankly said, "I was reminded of his high level once again. He's a batter who represents the pros, and it's not an exaggeration to say he's the face of Hanshin Tigers. I felt the difference in our level." Takahashi also commented, "That's one of my goals. I want to work towards it," as he aims to produce results in order to become the face of Softbank Hawks.
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