【特集｜オイシックス】投手力アップへ！注目の投手陣、期待の若手と元NPB選手：春季キャンプリポート②【新潟】スーパーJにいがた3月12日OA

The Oisix Niigata Albirex BC, a team competing in the professional baseball minor league, will play its opening game on Saturday the 14th. Today, we'll be focusing on the pitching staff, introducing young players expected to break out and left-handed and right-handed ace candidates aiming to return to NPB. Oisix spent a month in spring training in Shizuoka Prefecture. In preparation for the new season, the team added six players with proven NPB credentials, including former Hiroshima player Ryuhei Matsuyama (40) and former Nippon Ham player Naoyuki Ishikawa (29). The background to this... Three key players were selected in the professional baseball draft, sparking both excitement and anxiety among fans. ■Fan "I'm worried. I wish the team would become even stronger." "It happens every year, so we just have to rely on new players to develop and do their best." Notably, the pitching staff includes Takato Noto (24), who was drafted fifth overall by the Hanshin Tigers, and Norinobu Makino (26), who was selected first in the Chunichi Dragons' development draft. Both left-handed and right-handed aces have departed. ■ Manager Masaru Takeda "With Noto and Makino gone, this year will be a year where we all have to cover for our pitchers. Conversely, it's a chance for everyone to play." Noto, who was drafted, was asked about the player he's most excited about... ■ Hanshin's No. 5 Draft Pick: Takato Noto (24) "Takano. He has a powerful pitch and great potential, so I think he has a great chance." Yuu Takano (19), a Fukushima native in his second year after graduating from high school. With a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 148 km/h and a sharp slider, he pitched in nine games last season despite being a rookie, gaining practical experience. ■ Yuu Takano (19) "Noto told me that if I do my best, I can make it to NPB. I've decided this year will be my year, so I'm working hard at practice with a strong mindset." Masumi Kuwata, who will be coaching the players as CBO (Chief Baseball Officer) this season, also has high hopes for Takano's growth. ■Masumi Kuwata, CBO "Takano is still focused on throwing good pitches. He doesn't yet have a story for getting batters out. Once that story becomes clear, I think he'll become a winning pitcher." ■Masaru Takeda, Manager "Takano has played on the big stage, so I want him to strive for a higher level, and he's close to being in the NPB, so I want him to show it." During his high school days, Takano led his team to Koshien as the ace pitcher for Seikou Gakuin, a prestigious school in Fukushima Prefecture. This year, he will surpass the results of his idolized senior and take flight to the stage of his dreams. ■Yuwa Takano (19) "My goal is to surpass Noto's 12 wins. I want to become a player that Noto-san recognizes and go to NPB." In addition to improving pitching skills, Oisix's goal is to "encourage former NPB players to return to NPB." ■ Manager Masaru Takeda "He hasn't yet achieved a return to NPB, so that's his future goal. First, I want him to take this time to reevaluate himself and add a few more skills to his arsenal as he prepares to return to NPB." Former Rakuten pitcher Satoshi Miyamori (27) is aiming to return to NPB. Armed with a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 153 km/h, he joined Rakuten as the first pick in the development draft in 2022. In his rookie year, he set an NPB record by pitching 22 consecutive scoreless games since his debut on the first team. He is expected to perform well as a right-handed ace. ■ Satoshi Miyamori (27) "My biggest goal is to return to NPB. I had received offers from overseas teams, but when I thought about the quickest path to NPB, I chose Oisix because I thought it would be a great environment." During his time in NPB, he was a successful setup man, utilizing his powerful fastball pitching, but with Oisix, he will transition to a starting role. ■ Satoshi Miyamori (27) "(The reason for switching to a starting pitcher) is to expand my repertoire and broaden my range of activities. This year, I'm using a curveball that I can use to effectively avoid batters or save energy. It's also appealing to me that it makes use of my fastball." In the intrasquad game that day, he recorded three strikeouts with that curveball. His ever-improving arm keeps the scoreboard ticking zeroes. ■ Satoshi Miyamori (27) "I want to perform at an ace level. I want to do my best to keep the score at zero every inning." And there's another pitcher aiming to return to NPB. Takuto Takada (23), a former DeNA Baystars pitcher from Shizuoka Prefecture. He's making a name for himself as a left-handed ace, with a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 150 km/h. ■ Takuto Takada (23) "I think my strengths are being able to throw my fastball to both sides and my changeup." Last season, he pitched in 20 games, but finished with a record of 2 wins and 5 losses. Manager Takeda encourages him to do his best. Manager Masaru Takeda "I ha...