◆オープン戦　ヤクルト０―４オリックス（１４日・神宮）

Orix Buffaloes Seiya Yokoyama infielder In the top of the 7th inning of a 3-0 game, count the two-time reliever Most Valuable Player Award winner Yakult Shimizu's slider hit was line drive sent into the middle of the right-field bleachers. I was able to hit it at a good point," he said. I was able to hit it at a good point.

After a 25-year season in which he went hit in two games, he successfully gained 5 kg during the offseason, going from 90 kg to 1 kg. During the Miyazaki training camp in February, he recorded top-class numbers, including a batted ball speed exceeding 180 km/h. In terms of defense, in addition to his natural position of shortstop, he has been practicing at second and third base. With regular first baseman Tongu out due to injury, if he performs well, it will be possible to move Ota from second to first base, so he is determined, saying, "I'm fine anywhere. I want to make a good impression in the games I play."

A promising young player who joined the team as the first overall pick in the 2023 draft from Ueda Nishi High School (Nagano), he said, "If I'm not a starter, my number of at-bats will be limited. I want to prepare so that I can make the most of the few at-bats I get," and he aims to secure his place on the team by hitting a series of impressive hits. (Shunta Nanbu)