Futo Tsunoda, a pitcher from Fuji University who was selected as the first-round draft pick by the Orix Buffaloes, signed a provisional contract at a hotel in Hanamaki City, Iwate. The contract includes a signing bonus of 100 million yen and an annual salary of 16 million yen (estimated amounts). He is a right-hander who has struck out many batters with a fastball reaching a maximum speed of 153 km/h and a wide variety of breaking ball. Expected to be an immediate asset, the 'Doctor K of Michinoku' immediately set his goals, stating, 'I hope to achieve overwhelming results like pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. I want to aim for Rookie of the Year and win every title possible over a long career in baseball.'

Scout Satoshi Komatsu, who will serve as the new minor league pitcher coach, evaluated him by saying, 'He is a pitcher who knows how to use his time for baseball effectively. He has what it takes to be used in the first team right now.' With aces like Miyagi and Yamashita absent from the starting rotation since the season opener, he could potentially become a savior. A star candidate who wrote 'the best pitcher in Japan' on his autograph board, he seemed full of determination, stating, 'I want to prepare thoroughly so that I can pitch as a key asset for the team starting next year.'