Shota Hiranuma outfielder who joined Orix Buffaloes through the active player draft, vowed on the 9th to have a "breakout year in his 11th year." On that day, he held an open joint training session with Softbank Hawks 's Kondo and Orix Buffaloes 's Nishikawa in Amagi Town, Kagoshima Prefecture. He participated in "Kondo's training camp" again this year, and the sound of his bats hitting the ball resonated throughout the various indoor batting practice sessions. "I definitely want to have a career high. I want to do my best to have a breakout year in my 11th year," he said with determination.

He won the 2015 Senbatsu tournament with Tsuruga Kehi (Fukui) and played for Nippon-Ham and Seibu Lions. "Right now I'm just looking forward to it," he said with a bright expression. "I feel like I need to do what I have to do without getting too excited. I want to be well prepared and not get injured," he said, as he looks to get ready by the start of camp.