Lotte's Seiun Akiyama is working hard on his own training this year, focusing on his `` fastball'' without wavering.

He had been honing fastball towards the end of last season and was pleased with it, saying, "The quality of my throws is getting closer to my ideal. Now I just have to think about where to throw it." However, when asked what kind fastball he is currently striving for, he said, "It's a small thing, but I can clearly tell whether the angle of my wrist is good or bad, so I'm focusing on being able to throw it consistently."

In 2012, he pitched 30 games in 42 2/3 innings with a 6.12 ERA in the farm team, but last season he pitched 17 games in 43 innings with a 2.51 ERA, saying, "Until now, my performances have fluctuated greatly over the course of a year, but this year (2013), even at my worst, I've been able to pitch the minimum amount, and I think that's because ERA has become less inconsistent."

Could the angle of the wrist also be related to the smaller fluctuations in performance?

"I think it will be connected, but I don't think it will have a huge impact. I wasn't really thinking about the release that much, so it will be involved, but I don't think it will have a big impact."

So, what factors contributed to the smaller fluctuations in performance last season?

"I had practiced so that I could have peace of mind and think that if I just did this, everything would be fine, and I think that was the result of doing that."

Specifically, he explained, "It's not about moving in a linear motion with a balance ball or throwing it, but it's the result of practicing how to use your body."

Regarding breaking ball, he said confidently, "I think slider has improved." He added, "I can get a strikeout, and I can get a strikeout and a foul with slider to get count. I can throw all three different types of pitches. I think I've improved because I can now pitch in that way."

This marks his fifth year as a pro. Two university graduates of the same age as him have joined the pros: pitcher Kaito Mori (Meiji University), drafted second, and outfielder (Aichi Gakuin University), drafted third. He said, "I realized from the year before last to last year that it's ultimately up to me. I have to beat my classmate Mori, but in the end it all comes down to me, so I don't really focus on that." He practices with the arrow pointing at himself.

"Because of my position, I have to make an impression from the first day of camp, so I'm adjusting to that," he said, as he played catch at Lotte Urawa Baseball Stadium and threw to catcher in bullpen on the day.

With the spring training camp starting on February 1st in sight, he said, "Rather than just matching it to the season, I'd like to be in good physical condition and show off my good ball skills by that time (February 1st)," and vowed to win registration as a controlled player, saying, "Ultimately, I hope to become a controlled player and pitch in the first team."

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita