Seibu Lions Director and General Manager Koji Hiroike (53) attended a scouting meeting held in Tokyo on the 21st. Regarding the first-round draft pick, he did not disclose the name, stating, "We will not announce it. The reason is strategic." He maintained a strict stance throughout, repeatedly saying, "I cannot answer," "I will absolutely not say," and "I will tell you everything once it is all over."

Although not explicitly stated, the weak point is clear. This off-season, there is a possibility that right-handers Takahashi and Taira, who maintained their spots in the starting rotation this season, will challenge the Major Leagues. Manager Fumiya Nishiguchi (54) has already stated that he requested the club to acquire pitchers who can contribute immediately. Since the left-handed rotation features the double-digit win duo of Sumida and Takeuchi, along with many promising young players like Sugai, Sou Sato, and Sugiyama, it is believed the focus is narrowed down to right-handers, with Taisei Suzuki (Aoyama Gakuin University), Ren Miyahara (Kindai University), and Futo Tsunoda (Fuji University) considered strong candidates.

The general manager explained, "As of yesterday, we had narrowed it down to three candidates, and we made the final decision today." Last year, they successfully secured a solo pick by naming Meiji University's Kojima in advance. It remains to be seen if they can achieve a strategic victory for the second year in a row.