Overview
- The Hawks drafted 13 players on Oct. 23, selecting five to the 70-man roster and eight on developmental contracts.
- They won negotiating rights to Stanford infielder Rintaro Sasaki with the first pick after a two-team contest with DeNA, with club evaluations calling him a middle-of-the-order slugger with strong character.
- On Oct. 29, scouts visited Osaka University of Commerce to greet third-round right-hander Gota Suzuki, a converted sidearmer whose 147 km/h fastball, deception and control drew praise from the amateur scouting chief.
- Scouts also met Central University right-hander Hokuto Oyama, the club’s developmental No. 8 pick, whose 152 km/h fastball and mix of breaking balls led the scouting supervisor to judge he can compete.
- Oyama was the final name called in the draft at No. 116 and vowed to climb from the developmental ranks, citing ambitions to earn a full roster spot.