[Rakuten Eagles] catcher Kengo Horiuchi expresses surprise at the blazing fastball thrown by first-round draft pick right-handed pitcher Sota Fujiwara: "Intense," "Incredible."

Sports Hochi

Sota Fujiwara practices pitch in his first bullpen (Photo by Koji Sakai)

Rakuten Eagles 's first-round draft pick, pitcher Sota Fujiwara (22) from Hanazono University, entered bullpen on the second day of their training camp in Kin, Okinawa, on the 2nd.

Fujiwara, who was in bullpen for the first time this camp, threw 25 pitches, including fastballs exceeding 150 km/h and sharp slider. catcher Horiuchi was amazed as he received the pitches from the first-round draft pick right-hander, saying, "That's powerful" and "That's brutal."

The right-handed pitcher boasts a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 156 km/h and a sharp-breaking slider. He is expected to be an immediate contributor and is aiming to make the opening day roster.

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[Rakuten Eagles] catcher Kengo Horiuchi expresses surprise at the blazing fastball thrown by first-round draft pick right-handed pitcher Sota Fujiwara: "Intense," "Incredible."