First, I want to increase my velocity; since I was originally able to throw over 150, I want to get back to that level by the end of this year.

Lotte's Hikaru Otani spoke this way during an interview on August 12, but the number of fastballs exceeding 150 km/h has increased, such as when he threw a 152 km/h fastball in a practice game against Samurai Japan on November 7.

While focusing on the quality of his fastball, he felt a sense of progress, saying, 'It's getting better. I think if I can increase my power output, I'll be in a good place.'

Regarding his fastball, about which he said during an interview on August 12, "I'm not satisfied yet. Even if the velocity isn't there, I feel like I should be able to throw my fastball a bit better, but I don't think I'm there yet," he now has a positive feeling, stating, "Of course, it's getting better."

Regarding the fork, the pitch that struck out Yukiya Ito swinging on a 2-ball, 2-strike count with one out and no runners in the 6th inning of the Rakuten Eagles farm team game on September 17th, when the score was 4-2, was excellent. He spoke about his challenges, saying, 'The fork is a pitch I'm currently practicing, or rather, a pitch I must practice. While there are certainly good ones, there are both good and bad pitches, so I feel I need to keep practicing to make it a stable pitch.'

I wonder if he uses the fork differently depending on whether it's a count-getter or a finishing pitch.

I would like to use them differently if possible, but I haven't reached that level yet. There are times when I can use it for a count and times when it becomes a finishing pitch, but I can't do that every time. I want to work toward being able to do that.

On March 19th of last year, he underwent 'Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction' (Tommy John surgery) at a hospital in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture. Now that he has returned to actual competition following rehabilitation, one wonders if things are progressing exactly as he had envisioned.

I wish I could have gone a little earlier, but even though I'm a bit late, things are moving along nicely. I hope I can keep going like this.

This autumn, he is participating in the Miyakonojo fall camp. He is working hard to overcome his challenges, stating, 'One is a form issue. My biggest current challenge is increasing the length until the release. I also want to be able to throw my fork with a bit more precision.'

Even after the Miyakonojo autumn camp ends, he will participate in 'JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE 2026' starting November 21st. 'Right now, my elbow is in great shape. Physically, I think I'm completely ready to go,' he said. In order to get off to a good start next season, he aims to overcome his challenges and refine his strengths through actual game experience.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita