On the 29th, Rakuten Eagles kicked off a joint voluntary training session for rookies at Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi in Sendai City. Third-round draft pick rookie infielder (22) is determined to get revenge on Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Haruto Yamada (21), who defeated him in the second round of the 2021 Summer Koshien when he was a third-year student at Osaka Toin High School.
He actively encouraged his classmates and boosted their morale. After clearing the first hurdle, the rookie joint voluntary training, Shigenaga was fired up to take on even greater challenges.
"My first goal was to avoid injury, and I've been able to achieve that. After that, I think I'll be more motivated than I thought when I start training camp, and my output will probably increase, so I want to get through training camp without getting injured." Starting in training camp with the first team, he successfully imposed on himself the goal of becoming a great horse.
He is a powerful second baseman who is the pride of Tohto University baseball. At Chuo University, he was a member of the Japan University National Team in his third and fourth years. Last year, as vice captain, he contributed to the team's victory in the Japan-US Collegiate baseball Championship, winning all five games. He is loved by everyone and is highly regarded among the University Samurai as a "spirit of energy" who creates a united atmosphere within the team.
His brilliance remains unwavering among Rakuten Eagles Rookies. His presence is so strong that first-round draft pick pitcher Satoshi Fujiwara (22) of Hanazono University said of his fellow teammate, "It's definitely Shigenaga. He's just so funny." Shigenaga also laughed and said, "I don't know if he's a mood maker, but he's the one who livens things up the most."
He also has a bitter past. During his third year at Osaka Toin High School, he entered the Summer Koshien as one of the favorites to win, but despite leading 4-0 until the second inning against Omi (Shiga), which had second-year ace Yamada, he was defeated 4-6. Shigenaga, who started as starting line-up hitter and second baseman, was held hitless in three At Bat bats by starting pitcher Yamada, and his summer season ended with no hit in four at-At Bat in total.
"I've been trying to become number one in Japan, and even if I try my best, I think there are some things that I just can't reach. But this match made me feel like I shouldn't be discouraged, and if I can't do it, I should try harder."
その山田は昨年、西武で４９試合に登板し、３勝３敗１セーブ１７ホールド、防御率２・０８とブレイク。再戦の機会は十分ある。「あの時は本当に打てなかったんで、借りを返したい気持ちで打席に立ちたい」と力を込めた。
中大入学時には３学年上の森下翔太（現阪神）に衝撃を受けた。「本当にすごいなと思って、そこを目指してやってきた結果が、今につながってると思います」と繁永。温暖な南の島で心身を鍛え、開幕１軍へ牙を研ぐ。（加藤 弘士）
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