Appearing on "Professional baseball News 2026" broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 9th, Tomotaka Sakaguchi mentioned Softbank Hawks 's Yuto Akihiro.
Sakaguchi expressed his expectations for Akihiro, saying, "He's got such a big body, and he's always been the type to swing with a flexible swing, but I get the feeling that he's added some strength, a kind of core to his body, so I'm looking forward to it." He added, "With his size, if he hits the ball, it will fly, so I'm looking forward to seeing how his body's axis is becoming more solid."
Akihiro had a wild game with 3 hit 5 RBI, including a grand grand slam in the exhibition game against his former team, The Giants, on the 11th. Home Run has been making an impression so far, RBI for the most Home Run with 3 in the exhibition games and tying for second place with 7 RBI.
☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"
![[Softbank Hawks] Yuto Akihiro, who is unstoppable in his first start in the first team, hits his third bases loaded, tying the record for most grand slams among the 12 teams. "I organized what I needed to focus on and stepped up to the plate."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/11/20260311-OHT1I51436-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Hotaka Yamakawa, unaffected by his first arch in 15 at bats in the OP, "I don't judge anything by today's home run."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/12/20260312-OHT1I51000-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Pinch hitter Ryuta Hirose hits a two-run home run! His first home run in the exhibition game makes him a candidate for the opening day first team.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/11/20260311-OHT1I51383-L.jpg)
