"I want to become home run king and lead Chiba Lotte Marines to victory."

Lotte's fourth-round draft pick, Yuya Sakurai (Shohei High School), stated his goal of becoming Home Run king at the new player announcement meeting on December 11th last year.

"When I was a student, I was conscious of swinging with all my might. I was born with a body that I was blessed with, so I tried to make the most of it by swinging with all my might." During his time at Shohei High School, he sadly finished as Home Run-up in the final of the Saitama Prefectural Tournament against Eimei High School in the summer of his third year, but he was rated as one of the most powerful hitter among high school students, hitting a home run to left-center field.

His long hits to not only left center but also right center were good, but he analyzed, "I'm not particularly conscious of it, but I think that even though I'm hitting from the same point, there's a slight deviation that causes the ball to go to right center or left center."

When I was in high school, I used to hit the ball with a no-step timing, but I wonder if it was easier to hit the ball that way.

"I don't particularly think about no-stepping, but I think each pitcher is different, so I guess by keeping my feet just above the ground I can at least get the timing right."

Regarding how to handle wooden bats, he said, "Since I retired (from high school baseball), I have been consciously practicing to get used to wooden bats, so I would like to continue practicing to get used to them even after becoming a professional."

During the rookie joint voluntary training on January 12th, he took a long tee shot from the first base stands at Lotte Urawa Baseball Stadium toward left field, and hit several balls into the stands in left field.

Regarding the batting practice that took place in the indoor practice facility that day, he reflected, "When the timing is right, I hit the ball perfectly, but when I make a bad shot, it's usually because my swing is off, so I analyze that and think about that as I practice."

His goal as a professional is to become Home Run king, but what does he think it takes to become home run hitter?

"First, I watch the ball pitched by the pros and then adjust my timing. I think adjusting the timing is the most difficult part, so I think that by adjusting the timing and making a solid swing, I can hit home run."

defense As for base running, he said enthusiastically, "It would be nice to shine there, but I don't have the skills to shine, so I want to practice hard and become a home run hitter who can defend.

"I want to become a home run run hitter who can help the team in times of difficulty, as well as home run," he said. Lotte has been working on improving its long-distance hitting for many years. The Marines fans are hoping that in the future he will perform well enough to compete for the team's home Home Run title alongside Koki Yamaguchi and Daito Yamamoto.

▼ Yuya Sakurai

number: 55

Date of birth: June 30, 2007

position: infielder

Height / Weight: 180 cm / 90 kg

Throwing/Hitting: Right/Right

Career: Shohei High School - Lotte (4th pick in the draft)

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita