On the 23rd, Nippon-Ham paid a visit to Haruki Komoda (17), a two-way player from Yamanashi Gakuin whom they selected as their first-round pick in the draft. CBO Hideki Kuriyama, Scouting Director Takashi Obuchi, and the scout in charge, Koichi Sakamoto, visited the school to discuss their future plans.

CBO Kuriyama, who raised Shohei Ohtani—the original two-way player—stated, 'To do both (pitcher and fielder), you cannot compete unless you can perform at the top level with only 60 to 70 percent of your power. That is how highly I evaluate you.' Receiving this ultimate praise, Komoda strengthened his resolve, saying, 'Doing two-way is difficult, but I received words directly from him that my own feelings are what matter most. After hearing Mr. Kuriyama's talk, I felt once again that I want to go to Nippon-Ham.'

Unlike Ohtani, who is a right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitter, Komoda is a right-handed pitcher and right-handed hitter. While CBO Kuriyama noted it was the 'first case of the opposite,' he expressed high expectations, saying, 'There is a possibility that his explosive power will become something tremendous. We are also wondering how far he can go. We must brace ourselves and approach this seriously. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of player Komoda becomes.'

Komoda expressed his determination, saying, 'I have always admired Shohei Ohtani and have continued to follow him as my goal. Having Mr. Kuriyama speak of me in that way, I feel I am not yet at that level, but I want to get closer bit by bit and eventually catch up to and surpass him, just as Mr. Kuriyama suggested.'