Seibu Lions 's first-round draft pick, catcher Taiga Kojima (22) from Meiji University, expressed his enthusiasm on the 21st for the upcoming exhibition games starting the following day, the 22nd, saying, "I want to give it my all."

He was busy as catcher on this day, catching pitch from Kaino in bullpen and Wingenter in the live BP. "I want to improve catch, blocking, and throwing skills, so I hope I can use what I've learned in practice in the games from tomorrow onwards," he said, looking ahead.

This will be his first appearance in an exhibition game since November 2013. It is currently undecided whether he will play in the game against the Lotte Giants of South Korea on the 22nd (in Nango), but he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm really looking forward to playing against a team from a different country. There are all sorts of players, so I hope to learn from their good points." As for his first home Home Run, and the team's first, he said, "If the wind is at my back..." keeping that in the back of his mind, but for now, he will focus on making an impression with his batting.