For a picture of the new guys in their uniforms, click here
3日(月)、大阪市内のホテルにて「2019年度新人選手入団発表会」を行いました。近本選手、小幡選手、木浪選手、齋藤選手、川原選手、湯浅選手、片山選手の7名が、初めて縦縞のユニフォームに袖を通し、入団の喜びや今後の目標について語りました。https://t.co/51gh8KbNO0 pic.twitter.com/K3I4m15FLe
— 阪神タイガース (@TigersDreamlink) December 3, 2018
The new 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 number.
- Koji Chikamoto, OF #5 — Tsuyoshi Nishioka (2017-18); Tsuyoshi Shinjo (1993-2000)
- Ryuhei Obata, IF #38 — Marcos Mateo (2016-18); Hideshi Miyake (1953)
- Seiya Kinami, IF #0 — Yamato (2011-17); No one famous
- Yukiya Saitoh, RHP #48 — Diego Moreno (2018); Koji Nakada (1984-87)
- Riku Kawahara, LHP #47 — Shoya Yamamoto (2014-18); Masaaki Koyama (1958-63)
- Atsuki Yuasa, RHP #65 — Ryosuke Ogata (2013-18); No one famous
- Yuya Katayama, C #122 (Development player)
Concerning the new guys, skipper Akihiro Yano said here, “They’re all rivals with each other from this day on. I want them to try to get my attention, to make themselves stand out, to point the finger at themselves.”
Two of the players who were on the 70-man roster last season have accepted development player contracts. Yuya Yokoyama will wear #115, while Kosuke Fujitani (who converted from pitcher to fielder last summer) will don #125.