Hanshin pitcher Akihiro Aoyagi achieved the most wins with 13 wins for the second year in a row. Last season, he served as the starting pitcher for the first time, and was expected to play an active role as an ace.
Due to poor performance, he was dropped to the second team, and only won eight games. The return of his ace will bring them closer to becoming the first team in history to win back-to-back championships. He is prepared to be in the position of ``competing for a spot in the opening rotation''