Seibu Lions developmental outfielder Haruto Sawada (20) underwent contract negotiations at the team office in Tokorozawa City, Saitama on the 30th, signing for a status quo salary of 2.8 million yen.

He joined the Seibu Lions as the 5th pick in the 2024 developmental draft from Kyoto Kokusai High School. Although he contributed to a victory at Koshien in the summer of 2024, he was limited to only two appearances in the farm league this season due in part to a torn right hamstring.

Sawada reflected, 'Compared to last year, there were many injuries in the outfield this season, which meant there were many opportunities, so I felt frustrated that I could have done more.' Looking ahead to next season, he expressed his determination, saying, 'Since my main field of play was the third team both last year and this year, I want to first make the second team my main field of play and gradually climb the ranks to become a regular on the second team.'

He is expected to conduct his off-season independent training with pitcher Haruto Yamada (22) and others. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, 'I need to make my body even stronger, so I want to level up both my physical condition and my skills.'