◆Pre-season game Softbank Hawks 5-1 Yakult (5th, Mizuho PayPay)

He hit a low line drive trajectory into the right field pole. Softbank Hawks slider The ball hit a low infielder trajectory into the right-field corner. The NPB+ report puts the velocity of the ball at 181.9 kilometers per second, a major league-class velocity. I've been able to embody what I've been working on since my training and camp," said the second-year veteran of the The Giants club, proudly.

He also hit a three-run Home Run run over the right field fence in the send-off game against Samurai Japan (Sunmarine) on February 23rd, making it his third home run in an external game this spring. In the exhibition games, he had four At Bat in eight hit for a batting average of .500 in four games. Not only does he swing hard, but he has also walked three Walk and is able to judge the ball well.

After the 2010 season ended, he became a disciple of Yamakawa, a four-time Home Run king. In order to effectively use his weight shift to increase distance, he changed his form to raise his right foot. In January, he also participated in the Okinawa voluntary training of his former teammate, Sakamoto, and swung the bat. Manager Kokubo also smiled at his growth, saying, "It was the moment he hit the ball. It was good to watch the batting practice at camp, but the speed of the ball is completely different from last year."

With Yamakawa, Yanagida, Akira Nakamura and others waiting to play at first base and in outfield, which Akihiro will play at, the depth of the team's player pool is one of the best among the 12 teams. He still needs to make a strong showing in order to reach his goal of making the opening day first team. "Even during my time with The Giants, I experienced not being able to hit as the opening day approached. I want to keep working hard so I can continue," he said, looking ahead. He doesn't want to end 2026 with just a "premonition of an awakening." (Shimao Koichiro)