Kazuma Sato, pitcher for Orix Buffaloes who was promoted from the development league to the main roster and earned his first professional win in his first professional appearance and first start, gave advice to Riku Miyaguni, who will make his debut in the game against Nippon-Ham pitcher on the 8th (Kyocera Dome), on how to approach the game.
"During practice, I told him, 'Tomorrow, Miyakuni will be the star.' It's the first game, so I think it's okay for him to be a little deluded, in a good way or a bad way." Sato Ichi, who finished pitcher' designated practice at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka on the morning of the 7th, revealed the private conversation he had with Miyakuni on ground.
Miyakuni is from Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture. At Toho High School (Aichi), he started in two games at the Spring Koshien in his third year and was drafted in the third round of the 2023 developmental draft. In his second year, he gained experience as a relief pitcher while maintaining reliever rotation for the entire year, and was consistent with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses and ERA of 2.33 in 18 games. This season, he has appeared in 7 games with a record of 4 wins and 1 loss and ERA of 2.63, and on May 5th, the team announced that he would be registered as a regular player, and his first appearance and first start will be on May 8th against Nippon-Ham Fighters (Kyocera Dome).
Meanwhile, Kazuhito Sato joined the team in 2019 as the first pick in the developmental draft from Yokohama Hayato High School. In 2023, he recorded 8 wins and was the top wins pitcher in Western League. In June of his fifth year, 2024, he was registered as a regular player, and in the interleague game The Giants (Tokyo Dome) he made his debut and first start, pitching 5 runs innings and winning his pitching duel against Tomoyuki Sugano (now with the Rockies) to earn his first win.
For Kazuhito Sato, being on the main roster was something special. "It's not easy to become on the main roster, is it? What I'm proud of in my life is that it took me five years to become one." That's why his first appearance on the mound was so special. pitcher coach Kazuyuki Atsuzawa understood his growing feelings. "When I joined the team in Tokyo, Atsu-san (Coach Atsuzawa) told me, 'Today's your reward game. It's a reward for your hard work over the past five years, so just enjoy the atmosphere without worrying about anything.' I really think he was right. That's why I told Miyakuni, 'You're the star.'"
Sato Ichi is currently in the minor leagues, working on his pitching speed and continuing his training as a starter. Although their positions are different, he hopes that his junior, who also rose from the development league to the main roster, will shine on the major league mound.
Interview and text by Masaki Kitano
