Rakuten Eagles' second-round draft pick, pitcher Tatsuki Ito (Waseda University), will make his first professional start in the game against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome on the 25th.

Tatsuki Ito has appeared in 14 games in the farm league, compiling a record of 5 wins and 1 loss with ERA of 3.36. He has been particularly pitch since July, delivering impressive results. In the game against Lotte in the same league on the 15th, he made a strong impression with 7 innings pitched, allowing only 3 hit and no runs, while striking out 8 strike out. He has finally seized his chance.

He has only made one appearance in the first team, which was as a reliever. This will be his first start. 'Since I've already made my first appearance, I'm not that nervous or anxious. I've been performing well, so I've prepared with the intention of maintaining this form. I want to do my best to secure my first win,' he said enthusiastically.

First of all, I will focus on retiring the hitter in front of me. "I would like to say 'long innings,' but first, it is one hitter at a time. It is natural that the level is higher than the farm team, so I will treat it as a test of my strength. If, as a result of pitching to each hitter one by one, I can leave the mound after five or more innings in line for my first win, that would be ideal," he envisioned.

On September 1st, which will be six days after the August 25th game, there is a matchup against the Orix Buffaloes in his hometown of Akita. If all goes well, there is a strong possibility of a triumphant homecoming start.