Rakuten Eagles 's first-round draft pick, pitcher Sota Fujiwara (22) from Hanazono University, arrived in Okinawa on the 30th in preparation for spring training, which will begin on February 1st.

This will be his first time to set foot in Okinawa since his school trip in junior high school. "I'm excited right now. It's not often that I get to play baseball in Okinawa, so I'm really looking forward to being immersed in baseball every day," he said with a cheerful voice.

Five rookie players, including Fujiwara, have been selected to take part in the first-team training camp to be held in Kin Town, Okinawa. The right-handed pitcher, who is expected to be an immediate asset, said with enthusiasm, "My goal is to produce results and stay in the first team. I hope I can improve my level in some way."

Spring training began on February 1st. All the main players, excluding the rookies, also arrived in Okinawa on the same day.