The WEST Hochi will be introducing newcomers from each sport in a series titled "Ho! Rookies." The fifth installment will feature Softbank Hawks 's third-round draft pick, pitcher Gota Suzuki (22), and second-round development infielder Ayumu Ezaki and sixth-round pitcher Renta Nagasaki (both 18).

The upset he failed to achieve in high school will come true in the pros. Ezaki, who stands 168cm tall, declared, "If I can make the most of this body, it doesn't matter." The player he aspires to and looks up to is Makihara Dai. In 2013, he became the first player from the development team to become the batting hitter, further strengthening his admiration for him. "I too will aim to become the batting hitter," he declared, proclaiming himself a "second-generation" player. He will showcase his speedy play, making use of his leg strength, which can run 5.9 seconds for 50 meters, honed by studying videos of track and field athletes as well as the speed of baseball players such as Shuto.

He went on to Fukui University of Technology Fukui from Aichi. "I wanted to become independent and grow as a person, so I moved outside the prefecture," he said, choosing a tough path as a junior high school student. What's more, he made this choice despite receiving offers not only from strong local teams, but also from some of the most prestigious schools in the country, such as Tokai University Sagami, Osaka Toin, Hotoku Gakuen, and Chiben Gakuen. "Rather than playing for the top team, I wanted to beat the strong teams." For a man who has challenged himself, starting from the development team would also be a good idea. (Ando Osamu)

◆Ayumu Ezaki was born on September 18, 2007 in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture. He is 18 years old. While attending Sakurai Elementary School, he played for the Anjo Sakurai SBC softball team, and while attending Sakurai Junior High School, he played in the national tournament with the Nishio Boys' Boys League. At Fukui University of Technology, he was on the bench from the spring of his first year and became captain from the fall of his second year. He has never played in Koshien tournament. He is 168 cm tall and weighs 67 kg. He throws right and bats left. number is 144.