Orix Buffaloes' third-round draft pick Akito Haruyama (21), an outfielder from Osaka University of Commerce, received a congratulatory visit on the 27th from Amateur Scouting Group Leader Yamaguchi and others at the school in Higashiosaka City. A right-handed slugger who hit 13 career Home Runs in the Kansai Big Six Baseball League, breaking the league's career Home Run record for the first time in 34 years, he declared his goal to achieve a .300 batting average and 40 Home Runs—a feat not accomplished by a club player since Boomer in 1989—stating, 'I want to go for a .300 average and 40 homers. It sounds like big talk, but...'

He is actually a huge Orix Buffaloes fan. He is a 'victory man' who has seen his team win all 8 games he attended this season. Believing in fate, he thought, 'Maybe I'll be drafted...', and that wish came true. During a practice game last August, he visited Maishima in Osaka and met Nishikawa, his senior from Tsuruga Kehi. Nishikawa gave him gifts like training gear and a bat, saying, 'Good luck!' As a power hitter candidate who said, 'He is an amazing hitter, so I want to ask him many things,' he has requested to become an apprentice to the genius hitter. He will refine both his power and technique. (Rinko Fukushima)