Rakuten Eagles The 6th ranked rookie in the draft Ryu Kutani pitcher (Oji) pitched in a live BP session at the Kanatake camp in Okinawa on October 10.

In his first match against hitter, he said, "I focused on throwing strong balls in the strike zone and on strike rate of breaking ball." Although his "strike rate with breaking ball didn't improve," he showed some of his true potential when facing infielder Itsuki Murabayashi, who was last season's Pacific League Most hit Award winner, by breaking his bat with breaking ball to the outside corner.

During bullpen pitch practice, he has been working on improving his quick motion and has been flexibly acquiring advanced professional techniques. "I want to continue to show my skills and aim to be on the opening day first team," he said, once again expressing his enthusiasm.