Ruyan Otsuka infielder (22), the third overall pick in the Nippon-Ham draft, who is undergoing joint voluntary training at the 2nd Army facility in Kamagaya, Chiba, (22) = Tokai University, listed Seibu Lions and Sosuke Genda infielder (32) as players he admires and set his goal to "represent Japan short stop" on the 17th.

He handles the ball with agility and agility, with a brisk step. Otsuka received batting practice at shortstop and showed a refreshing smile. "I would like to make my batting a strength, but defense comes first. I want to become short stop who represents Japan, like (Seibu Lions) Genda-san." He has set his sights on becoming defense master, having won the Golden Glove Award seven times and been selected for Samurai Japan in two consecutive WBC tournaments.

He turns bitter experiences into strength. When he was a third-year captain at Tokai University Sagami, the team won the 2021 Senbatsu tournament, but he himself developed acute gastroenteritis and was unable to play from the quarterfinals onwards. "I still feel the regret of not being able to stay on ground until the end. From that point on, I started to be conscious of my health and it's something that I still live by today," he said, and this became the starting point for him to control his diet by understanding his nutritional value and managing the times he eats. While at Tokai University, he was also selected for the Samurai Japan University National Team.

He is from the same Tochigi prefecture as Tokai University Sagami's then ace, The Giants' Hayato Ishida (4th pick in the 2021 draft), and they still keep in touch. Before the draft, he went out to eat with Ishida, and was surprised and inspired by his growth as a professional, saying, "When I met him after a long time, he had gotten quite big."

There will be competition for the opening day spot in the first team for the second baseman position, with Yamagata, Mizuno, Kamikawabata, and new foreign player Castro. "My strong desire to help the team win is unmatched." baseball elite who has survived at a prestigious school will join the Shinjo Ham Fighters in their fight for survival. (Kawakami Haruki)

◆Otsuka Ruan Born October 26, 2003, in Tochigi City. 22 years old. Started playing baseball at Tochigi Minami Elementary School, and played for Yakult Junior in sixth grade. At Tochigi Minami Junior High School, he was a member of the Koyama Boys, and participated in national tournaments such as the Giants Cup. At Tokai University Sagami, he played at Koshien twice, and served as captain in his third year, leading the team to victory in the Spring Senbatsu Tournament. He began playing at Tokai University in the spring of his second year, and was also selected for the Samurai Japan University National Team. His mother's family home is the soba restaurant "Okoshiji" in Kanuma City, Tochigi. He is 169 cm tall and weighs 74 kg. He throws right and bats left.