On March 26, Hirokazu Ibata, 50, manager of Samurai Japan, announced the additional members of Japan's national team for the 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March. Orix Buffaloes ・ Ryuhei Sotani pitcher (25) were selected. The fourth-year professional left fielder, who will be making his first appearance in a major international tournament, said, "I'm very glad that I've been baseball doing what I've been doing. At the same time, many people have supported baseball up to this point. I want to repay the favor and express my gratitude through my play.
Soya joined Orix Buffaloes as the first pick in the 2012 draft from Hakuoh University. He earned his first professional win in his rookie year in 2013, and established himself as a part of the starting rotation from his second year. In his third year as a pro in 2015, he recorded a career-high of eight wins (eight losses). His sharply curving "roller coaster slider" became so synonymous that towel merchandise was even released.
After the season ended, pitch a perfect three innings as a starter in a training match for Samurai Japan against South Korea (Tokyo Dome), making a great impression. "My specialty is pitches that move wildly within strike zone. I want to continue to show my strengths," he said, showing his aggressive pitch in the actual game, and becoming a cog in the team's consecutive world championships.
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・ The left-handed pitcher slot has been filled! Ryuhei Sotani Orix Buffaloes "roller coaster slider," is selected for his first WBC appearance.
・ Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto to play in two consecutive WBC tournaments...Unusually, he wants to play in his first year in the majors
・ Proof of Manager Shinjo's "eye for talent": Nippon-Ham' Koki Kitayama rises from 8th pick in the draft to the WBC
・ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the ace immediately after the announcement of his participation, has won the WBC for two consecutive tournaments... He has won eight championships with the Samurai, Dodgers, and Orix Buffaloes
