Fourth-year pitcher Hiroto Takahashi is aiming to become the opening pitcher for the first time. He threw 150 pitches in his third bullpen game at Chunichi's professional baseball camp in Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture.
He had a losing record last season with 7 wins and 11 losses, but his 145 strikeouts were second in the league, and his ERA was 2.53, seventh in the League. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to show off with good pitches for the opening game"