In the fall 2024 draft meeting, a total of 7 people were confirmed to join the Rakuten Eagles.Expectations are certainly gathering around Rui Muneyama, but one should not underestimate the other six players either.They are expected to make the team stronger in three years, five years down the line. We wonder if they might have been competing for a position in the major league right from their debut year?

The up-and-coming Rookie Who Joined After Competition Among Five Teams, Good at Defense and Offense – Rui Muneyama

First, let’s start with this person who was indeed the first pick in the draft.Known for his splendid glove work and accurate throws, he has gained popularity as the No.1 shortstop in the university. His prowess led to a competition among five teams in the draft.In addition to his defensive capabilities, he shone as the top batter during his second year at Meiji University, demonstrating his batting strength with a total of 118 hits in university, a record that ranks seventh in history.Furthermore, he also served as the captain in his fourth year, and he even has leadership skills, so there’s nothing more to say.

At the new player introductory press conference, he said “I want to seize the opportunity to showcase my balanced skills in offense, defense, and running on the professional stage.　I aim to make the opening lineup and produce consistent results throughout the year, and I also aspire to become Rookie of the Year.”

Won the Most Valuable Player Award in the college league with his aggressive pitching – Kazuto Tokuyama

Tokuyama, who joined the team as the second draft pick.Contrary to his modest smile, his pitching style is assertive, characterized by fastballs reaching speeds of up to 153 km/h.In combination with curves in the 110 kilometer range, he won his first Most Valuable Player award in the Chinese regional university league last fall.During the draft, he said, “I was moved to tears when I thought of the people who have supported me,” and it was impressive to see him crying the moment his name was called.

The player that Tokuyama admires is Yu Darvish of the San Diego Padres.”He was dazzled by the amazing aura on the mound.”With his pride and joy fastball, he’s sure to grow into a pitcher like Darvish, who children look up to as a role model!

From the Shikoku Island League Plus to becoming a Pro, armed with a variety of breaking balls – Haruto Nakagomi

The third draft pick, Nakagomi, is a right-handed pitcher who commands a variety of breaking balls including sliders, cut balls, sinkers, and forks, in addition to his fastest fastball of 150 km/h. He is expected to bring depth to the middle of the lineup with his irregular three-quarter game. (A pitching form in which the pitcher pitches slightly sidethrow. The position of the dominant arm is about three-fourths of the way up when the dominant arm is set at 1.)

After graduating from Yamanashi Gakuin University, although he was considering finding a job, he decided to try out for the Tokushima Indigo Socks in the Shikoku Island League Plus, triggered by his good performance in the final tournament of his fourth year in university.”He had resolved to quit baseball if he failed, but with his back against the wall”, he remarkably passed and his hard work paid off as he turned professional within a year.”I want to become a player who can be the hope for those who are about to give up their dreams.”The hardships hidden behind a refreshing smile will surely seep into one’s play.I want to see that pitch on the main stage as soon as possible.

 The trademark is his fastest 157km/h fastball thrown from a height of 186cm – Masahiro Ehara

Among the players who joined in the same year, Draft 4th place Ebara, who is the oldest, is a right-handed pitcher who uses a fastball at a maximum speed of 157 kilometers per hour from his height of 186 centimeters.Having overcome three right elbow surgeries, he is also a hard-working individual who managed to turn professional.At the Nippon Steel Stainless Baseball team, which is an adult social Baseball team, physical training has been successful in increasing the speed of the ball.In October last year, they participated in a training camp for potential representatives of the Japanese national team composed of working adults.

In his private life, Ehara, who shows a smile saying “I’m rather clumsy,” adapts to all kinds of roles in his game play.”First, I want to deliver results as a relief pitcher, and eventually become a pitcher who can handle both starting and relieving roles”, he vowed with full determination.

The ambition is to hit a direct home run to the Ferris wheel at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi!- Tsubasa Yoshino

Yoshino, a player who was drafted fifth and has been honing his skills in the same Tokyo Big6 League as player Muneyama, is a graduate of Waseda University.In addition to his collegiate career total of 13 home runs, he also possesses the dexterity to hit to all fields.

When he went to see Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi, he was moved by the sight of the Ferris wheel, expressing his desire to “use my hitting power in the opposite direction and hit the Ferris wheel.”That being said, there is still no player who has hit the ball that distance. Yoshino also forced a smile and said, “It was quite far, wasn’t it?” making those around him laugh.”The 22-year-old expressed determination, saying, “I have a strong desire to do it.” That future is vastly expanding.

The only rookie from Taiwan this season known for his swift and skillful play – Yang Po Hsiang

Yang, a 6th round draft pick, was said to be captivated by Japanese Baseball.After graduating high school, he joined the Ibaraki Astro Planets of the Baseball Challenge League.By leveraging his running ability to expand his defensive range and honing his batting eye, he achieved growth and finally fulfilled his long-cherished dream of entering the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball).

Whenever the topic of Sung Chia-Hao, a reliever for the Rakuten Eagles who also excels in international matches as a representative of Taiwan, comes up, people say, “I’d like to hear more about that!”, he said, his heart pounding with excitement.Although the positions are different, we hope to absorb a lot from our national heroes who have achieved the Japan Dream and use it for our own growth!

Striving to catch up with Itsuki Murabayashi, the player I aim for – Yuya Kishimoto

Kishimoto, the only development player who joined the team this time, was the top-ranked player in the development league.His position is a shortstop, and he mentioned Itsuki Murabayashi, who blossomed in the team after a long period of hard work, as his goal.From the time I started playing baseball, my experience as a catcher gave me confidence in the strength of my shoulder, and my ability to make controlled throws was my greatest defensive asset.From now on, I will polish up my batting skills and proceed towards becoming the successor of Murabayashi.First, it starts with body building which is viable in the professional field, but he was psyched up, saying “this is where the real battle begins”.

Both college and working adults, who are expected to excel on the professional stage immediately, and high school students, who start with bodybuilding and gradually acquire the demeanor of professional baseball players, are anticipated.There’s joy in watching both, so I can’t stop cheering for the rookies.Their success will surely brighten the future of the Rakuten Eagles.

TEXT: Chiharu Abe
PHOTO: Naoya Arai
EDIT: Yohsuke Watanabe, Shiori Saeki (IN FOCUS)