Orix Buffaloes 's first-round draft pick, pitcher Atsuya Fujikawa (18), is scheduled to make his home debut in a farm league game against Hiroshima on the 19th (at Kyocera Dome), it was announced on the 18th. The game will be a "parent-child game" with a night game against the first team, Softbank Hawks. There is a possibility that manager Kishida and other first-team coaches will be checking out pitch, and Fujikawa said with sparkling eyes, "I would like to struck out if possible."

Fujikawa joined the team as the first overall pick in the 2013 draft from Miyazaki's Nobeoka Gakuen High School. He worked step by step, starting with physical conditioning, and made regular season debut on the 3rd against Lotte (at Sugimoto Shoji BS). With the composure of mound, he retired the side in order in the first inning, throwing only eight pitches—a truly impressive performance. He gave up his day off to train independently at the team's facilities in Maishima, Osaka.

The right-handed pitcher, whose fastest pitch reaches 153 km/h, confessed his honest feelings, perhaps imagining himself pitching in front of the Emperor: "I'm nervous..." He added, "I want to focus on my fastball and just throw with all my might." Inspired by Yamashita, who underwent right elbow surgery in the United States, this ace candidate entered the professional leagues. He is improving day by day. (Toru Nagata)