"Fun" "Enjoy" "Enjoying".In this interview alone, it was mentioned as many as 11 times.Pitcher Tatsuki Koja, who joined the team in 2023 as the "first pick in the draft".Faces of the same generation.While possessing abilities and talents that everyone envies, their driving force was something very pure.Let's try to enjoy more, like him.Then surely, you should be able to improve in any sport.

The phrase “What one likes, one will do well” fits well with pitcher Koja, who joined the Rakuten Eagles as an immediate asset.The sharp fastball, which is unleashed from a unique form where the ball’s origin is hard to see, is the weapon.His talent blossomed in his senior year of university, and he rose to become the top pick in the draft.

——You started your life as a professional Baseball player, but have there been any changes in your consciousness so far?

I believe the biggest change has been finding myself in a position where I’m constantly being watched by others.That’s why, even in aspects of my private life outside of baseball, I’ve become conscious of the fact that someone may be watching and act accordingly.

——You joined the team as the first draft pick, carrying a lot of expectations.Do you still feel pressure?

I don’t really feel much pressure being the number one draft pick.However, since our generation consists mostly of players who finished education at high school, we, as university graduates, have a strong sense of responsibility to perform well.Including players with only a high school education, we must act responsibly so that people can say, “This generation is reliable, isn’t it?”In that sense, you might be feeling some pressure.

——You’ve just started your first year, can you tell us about your professional goals?

I continue to practice in the farm team, imagining the image of pitching in the first team now.Specifically, how to set the pace as a starting pitcher.It is important to maintain a good tempo that allows the fielders to transition smoothly into offense, so I am studying that aspect.Moreover, my strength is my sharp straight pitch, so I aim for a style that overwhelms the batter with that fastball, and I am working hard in practice to achieve this goal.

——Your fastball has been a major weapon you’ve been honing since your college days, hasn’t it?

Yes.Even after turning professional, I always practice with a sense of curiosity.I am practicing to develop a fastball like Yuki Matsui (San Diego Padres), who uses his straight pitch as a weapon. I aim to emulate such pitchers and one day surpass them.

——What does pitcher Koja envision for himself five years from now?

This year, the Rakuten Eagles are defended by young people like Takahisa Hayakawa in his fourth professional year, and Kosei Shoji in his second year, so I am envisioning a future where I can join them in the starting rotation five years from now.I hope that even after 5 years, you continue to enjoy Baseball!

——Have you always valued having fun playing Baseball?

Since I was little, I’ve truly enjoyed Baseball, and that’s why I feel like I’ve been able to come this far.I believe it’s important to enjoy what you’re doing, not just in sports, but in everything.I hope that even the children who aspire to be professional baseball players can fully enjoy baseball.

——There must have been tough times while playing Baseball.What is the reason that you were able to continue finding joy even when faced with such difficulties?

My college classmates were very positive friends.No matter how many times I was beaten or failed, there was always a positive voice encouraging me.My university days were truly filled with nothing but enjoyable moments.I feel that those days are connected to the present, and even if I face hardships now, I have become able to quickly switch to positive thinking.It is said that “Birds of a feather flock together”. Because I value the attitude of switching gears and enjoying myself, I think that fun companions naturally come to me.

——What do you think you can do as a professional baseball player to help create a better future through sports?

I believe that professional baseball players have a significant influence, regardless of whether the news is good or bad.That’s why, even though there might be tough times in playing baseball, I’d like to keep showing the enjoyable side of it.I think that doing things with a joyful face, not only in front of our fans but also in front of many people, could possibly change the future.I believe that for this reason, it’s important that I first and foremost enjoy myself to the fullest, as this will lead to a better future.

While setting their sights on the major league, he dedicates himself to rigorous training.Even amidst the responsibility of being a team player and the pressure of being a professional, one must not forget the joy of playing Baseball.That very thing might be what gives dreams and courage to those who see it.When the player with the number 17 continues to play with a smile, surely, the fans of Rakuten Eagles are also filled with plenty of smiles.

INTERVIEW&TEXT: Chiharu Abe
PHOTO: Toshiyuki Koizumi
EDIT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS), Shiori Saeki (IN FOCUS)