Lotte's first-round draft pick, right-handed pitcher Genki Ishigaki (18) of Kendai Takasaki, made bullpen debut at the first-team training camp in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, on the 3rd. With manager Saburo (49) and other executives and fans watching, he threw 15 pitches to a standing catcher, showing glimpses of his potential.

This is the first time in six years that a high school graduate pitcher has been a member of the first team camp since Akinori Sasaki (now with the Dodgers) in 2020. He became bullpen pitch a member on the third day of camp, earlier than the "Monster of 2021," who made his first bullpen appearance after turning pro on February 13 of the same year.

Gen Ishigaki, the youngest member of the first team, is nicknamed "Gakki" and is loved by his seniors and peers. He played catch during the rookie joint voluntary training before the start of camp, but has refrained from pitch practice in bullpen.

On the 2nd, he mixed in his fastball with cutter, splitter, and curveball in preparation for entering bullpen, and said, "I was using about 70 to 80 percent of my strength." He revealed his satisfaction, saying, "I haven't been throwing breaking ball catch this time of year, so I wanted to make sure. I thought I was throwing good pitches." He will continue to climb the ladder in line with the team's development plan.

◆Genki Ishigaki was born on August 16, 2007 in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. 18 years old. He started playing softball baseball at Horobetsu Nishi Elementary School in the first grade and was a member of Toyako Senior High School at Noboribetsu Seiryo Junior High School. pitcher from the summer of his second year. He has been on the bench at Kentai Takasaki since the spring of his freshman year. Koshien He was a member of the "Kendo" team for four consecutive seasons starting in the spring of his second year. 180 cm, 78 kg. Pitches right-handed and bats both ways.