Lotte's first-round draft pick, pitcher Genki Ishigaki (18), who boasts a top speed of 158 km/h, entered bullpen for the second time at the Miyakonojo training camp on the 6th. With catcher standing, he threw 20 pitches, all fastball.

"I was told I could throw with a little more force than last time, so I threw with a little more force. I was able to throw with a better feeling than before, so I think I'm gradually getting better."

According to Trackman, his fastest pitch of the day was 149.9 km/h. The rotation speed was measured at 2,400, which is equivalent to a professional level. In his last bullpen on the 3rd, he said he was pitching at "70%," but he looked pleased as he said, "I think I was pitching at a little over 80%. It felt like I was pitching in the mid to late 140 (km/h) range."

Behind the net, former Seibu Lions manager Kazuo Matsui, who will serve as temporary coach from the 5th, watched intently.

"With that kind of power and that kind of ball quality... he's on the same level as Daisuke. If Matsuzaka was the monster of the Heisei era, then he's the monster of Seibu Lions teammate, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and showering him with praise.

"It was like, 'That's the power that makes this ball come!'" Matsui said. When they first met, he told Ishigaki, "I've been wanting to meet you." Ishigaki's potential is recognized even by the legend. First, he will steadily aim to step up. (Kato Hiroshi)