On July 1, Stanford University’s Rintaro Sasaki—who was selected as the first overall pick by the Fukuoka Softbank in last year’s “Pro baseball Draft Conference supported by Lipovitan D”—visited MIZUHO PayPay Dome. Following a meeting and a tour of the ballpark facilities, a press conference was held. The main Q&A is as follows.

—What did you discuss with the team?

“Since I was invited for a meeting, the session focused on a presentation and an introduction to the facilities at MIZUHO PayPay Dome, making it a very valuable experience.”

—What left the strongest impression on you during that visit?

“During the presentation, I learned a great deal about the team—including video messages from Owner Sun, Chairman Wang, and Manager Kokubo, as well as presentations and facility tours led by GM Mikasa, CBO Shirojima, and others, and the history of Softbank Hawks. I think the presentation, where they shared various aspects of the team’s policies, was a particularly wonderful experience for me.Even though I’m just an ordinary person, I was very happy that they took the time to speak with me so thoughtfully.”

—What kind of message did Manager Kokubo share with you?

“He told me that he respects the situation I’m currently in, and that he’s very much looking forward to the possibility of us playing together if the opportunity arises, so I’m very happy about that. I never expected to receive such a message, so I feel truly blessed.”

—What was Chairman Wang’s message?

“He told me, ‘I’ll be waiting for you in Fukuoka.’ Chairman Wang is a player and a person whom everyone, myself included, looks up to, so I’m truly honored.”

—What kind of message did Owner Son send you?

“I’ve had the chance to speak with him once before. Owner Masayoshi Son is the person whose way of life I respect the most, so I never expected to receive a message from him. He offered words of encouragement and said he’d love to have the opportunity to work with me if the circumstances allow.I was truly delighted to receive messages from people I’ve long looked up to. Although my situation is different from others’, I’m filled with gratitude that they understood my circumstances, made these preparations today, and welcomed me.”

—During today’s presentation, there was discussion about player development and deployment strategies.

“I received such wonderful feedback that made me wonder if I’m really good enough. As for the development plan, I’d prefer to avoid getting into specifics, but regarding ‘number’ in particular—since they specifically mentioned ‘Number 1’—I’m truly overwhelmed by emotion. Hearing all these different perspectives made this a very meaningful day for me, and I’m simply honored.”

—I hear you were handed a thick binder containing detailed data analyses of your match results this season.

“I was very surprised. I hadn’t expected that they had already analyzed my own data and prepared it with an eye toward the next season, so that was the first surprise.I received detailed, clear data that delved into the causes and root causes, and I found that many of the areas I personally consider to be challenges aligned with the data and statistics. Today, I was able to realize once again just how cutting-edge the Softbank Hawks organization is and what outstanding technical capabilities they possess when it comes to data analysis.”

—Did you get a chance to tour the facilities as well?

“I was given a tour of the first-team facilities at the stadium, including the home-side clubhouse, batting cages, and training room. (What was your impression?) It was my first time stepping inside a professional facility, and it felt like a dream—a wonderful environment where I wouldn’t have a single thing to worry about. I’m convinced that, if the opportunity arises, I could lead a fulfilling life here with the baseball.”

—Did you meet any players?

“I had the chance to say hello to Yanagita, and I also met briefly with Shuto, Kurihara, Imamiya, and Yugo Maeda pitcher—a teammate from my same class who’s starting today. They’re all players I’ve really looked up to, and they’re such senior figures to me, so just saying hello was all I could manage.They’re wonderful people, and I also had the chance to greet Manager Kokubo and Second Team Manager Kazumi Saito, so it was a truly great opportunity. I also had the chance to greet Chairman Oh a little while ago—it was a wonderful experience.”

—As you decide on your future path, what is most important to you, Sasaki?

“I’m truly grateful for the respect shown toward my current situation, but my plan remains the same: I’ll make my final decision after reviewing the MLB draft. However, this was my first visit to Fukuoka, and getting to know so many aspects of this strong, wonderful organization has made today a truly meaningful day in my life.”

—The MLB Draft is about 10 days away. Do you have any criteria for challenging yourself in MLB, such as being selected standings?

“At this stage, I don’t have any clear criteria regarding that. There are still many uncertainties, and there are many aspects I haven’t fully assessed yet, so it’s hard to say anything definitive. However, I believe I must take MLB’s evaluation of me into account, approach the situation responsibly, and make a decision.”