Overview
- Hokkaido Nippon-Ham presented seven newcomers at Escon Field Hokkaido on November 24, introducing five draft picks and two developmental signees to fans and media.
- The group includes No. 1 pick pitcher Jie Okawa along with outfielder Kane Edopolo, infielders Ruan Otsuka and Minato Handa, catcher Kaito Fujimori, and developmental signees Hiroki Tsuneya and Towa Yokoyama.
- Okawa highlighted his fastball as his calling card, noted his closer experience, and said he intends to pitch aggressively to deliver results.
- Manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo said he will elevate players to the first team as soon as their play warrants it, cautioned rookies about injuries, and barred brown-dyed hair in the farm team with a quip to earn fashion freedom by reaching the top squad.
- Edopolo, a right-handed power hitter, vowed to be the first to hit the stadium’s prize “Shinjo board,” and the rookies continued their integration after touring team facilities the previous day.