Pitcher Koshiro Yoshimura of Toshiba, who was nominated first by Yakult at a professional baseball draft meeting, signed a provisional contract with the team and spoke enthusiastically, saying, "I want to aim for the Rookie of the Year."
Pitcher Yoshimura is a right-handed pitcher who is expected to be an immediate force with a fast 153 km straight and a fork ball that can take away swings, and was nominated by Yakult in the first place at the draft meeting last month.
Pitcher Yoshimura signed a provisional contract with the team at a hotel in Yokohama on the 24th, with an estimated contract fee of 100 million yen, plus a performance payment of 50 million yen, and an annual salary of 16 million yen.
At the press conference, pitcher Yoshimura said, "I really feel like I'm going to be a professional. I'm very happy that I was drafted in first place," he said with a nervous expression.
The jersey number was decided to be "21", which was given by coach Tomohito Ito. .
On top of that, regarding the goal, he enthusiastically said, "I was told that I was expected to enter the starting rotation, so I would like to prepare to fight for a year and eventually win the title. I want to aim for the Rookie of the Year." said.