Softbank Hawks Yugo Maeda pitcher (20) threw 31 pitches at on the first day of the Miyazaki camp on January 1. The left-hander, who was drafted first overall in the 2011 draft by Toin Osaka, made his first start in the A group (1st team) in his third year. He said, "I felt good for the first day. I don't get off the ball as high anymore. I have an image that I can hit the ball well," said the left-hander, who made his first start in the A-Gun (first team) in his third year. bullpen

For the second year in a row, he has been apprenticed under Mets pitcher Senga, and has been working on improving his pitching form through joint training sessions in the United States, Okinawa, and other locations. He has been learning how to use his left foot, his pivot foot, and is focusing on "pushing the ground and applying pressure" when pitching. He is currently working on solidifying his pitching form.

Arihara, who has had the most wins for two consecutive years, has been transferred to Nippon-Ham, and this is a big opportunity for young players such as Maeda Yu. Manager Kokubo also feels that he has grown, saying, "I watched him running during warm-ups and thought he had gotten a lot tougher." He marked his first professional win last season, and is expected to make even greater strides this year. (Shimao Koichiro)