For Daily’s article with pictures, click here
The 2019 draft picks got their new uniforms today. Below is the list of new numbers given out, as well as the most recent and most famous players to have worn the numbers.
Round 1: Junya Nishi – #15: Yuya Yokoyama (2015-17) / Muneo Misono (1936-58)
“Now that I’m wearing the Tigers uniform, it feels so much more real. I hope the fans will enjoy my competitive nature. I’m aiming to become like Yuki Nishi.”
Round 2: Kota Inoue – #32: Noriharu Yamazaki (2018-19) / Junichi Ikeda (1966-70)
“I’ve never worn a pinstriped uniform in my life, so I don’t know if this looks alright on me, but I dunno, it looks good to me! I want fans to take note of my aggressiveness at the plate and my full swing. I hope to be like Kosuke Fukudome someday.”
Round 3: Masaki Oyokawa – #37: Yuto Morikoshi (2015-19) / No one
“I’ve seen this uniform a lot, and now it’s time for me to be seen wearing it. I’m really excited. My best pitch is my high-quality fastball, which I hope to get a lot of strikeouts with. I aim to be like Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners) in the future.”
Round 4: Jo Endo – #45: Kosuke Fujitani (2017-18) / Rich Gale (1985-86)
“I’m really happy to be able to put on this tradition-filled jersey. My strengths are my throwing arm and the pop in my bat. On defense, I hope I can become like Sosuke Genda (Lions). At the plate, I’d like to be as clutch as Tomoaki Kanemoto.”
Round 5: Kento Fujita – #59: Shinji Komiyama (2017-19) / No one
“It feels great to be able to put on this uniform that I have known so well since I was a kid. I have confidence in my throwing arm. I hope to become like Ryutaro Umeno because he is so good at blocking pitches and throwing out runners.”
Round 6: Ippei Ogawa – #66: Joichiro Maki (2018-19) / Yamato (2007-10)
“This (standing in front of so many reporters) is pretty scary. I can’t wait to stand on the mound at Koshien, though. My fastball and fast changeup are my best pitches. I want to be like Kyuji Fujikawa and be able to strike out anyone I face.”
Dev. Round 1: Dan Onodera – #127: Masaki Anada (2011-13) / No one
“I’ve never been surrounded by this many reporters so I’m kind of nervous. It feels so strange (in a good way) to put on this uniform that I have loved so much since I was a kid. I hope to be like Fukudome, who is still in the heart of the order at age 42.”
Dev. Round 2: Kota Okuyama – #128: Seiya Hirokami (2012) / No one
“I am thrilled to be called a member of this deep-traditioned team and to wear this uniform. My speed and throwing arm are my strengths. I look up to someone who is seen as the ultimate athlete: Yoshio Itoi.”
Concerning the new guys, skipper Akihiro Yano said, “We chose some exciting players, and I can’t wait to see them on the field in action. We play the game to give thrills to fans and dreams to kids. I fully expect these guys to do the same for our fans.”
This was the first time since the inaugural 1966 draft that Hanshin chose five straight players straight out of high school. The team is hoping to change its image to one that is competent at developing young talent.
Good luck to all the guys as well as the coaches who will be helping shape them as pros!