Sources: Sponichi / Sponichi / Sanspo / Sanspo Etc.
The 2023 draft picks got their new uniforms on December 11. Below is the list of new numbers given out, as well as the most recent and most famous Tigers to have worn the numbers.
Round 1: RHP Kaito Shimomura – #19: Shintaro Fujinami (2013-22) / Kiyo’oki Nakanishi (1984-96)
“I know that a lot of great players in the past have worn this number, but I will work hard and aim to be the one that fans think of when they hear the number 19. I know that the expectations placed upon me are different than they ever have been before, but I hope to stay true to myself and, first and foremost, play the whole year injury-free. I’m from Nishinomiya, so I hope to bring excitement to my home city.”
Round 2: RHP Tsuyoshi Shiiba – #26: Fumiya Hojoh (2021-23) / Shozo Watanabe (1952-65)
“First, I want to aim to make the top squad and play the entire year injury-free. I hope to someday be Hanshin’s undisputable closer.”
Round 3: INF Shuya Yamada – #52: Aaron Wilkerson (2022) / Pierce Johnson (2019), Jerry Sands (2020-21)
“Most people think of Tetsuto Yamada when it comes to pro baseball, but I hope that in the near future, when people hear ‘Yamada’ they will think of Shuya. My batting is something I really want to work hard on, and be good enough at it to achieve a Triple Three (30 HR, 30 SB, .300 average).”
Round 4: INF Aoi Momosaki – #56: Keisuke Kobayashi (2020-23) / Mike Solomko (1960-63)
“I’m not in a hurry. I need to build up my physique and get experience seeing a lot of pitchers’ stuff. My impression of Kansai is takoyaki, so I hope to get bigger by eating a lot of them.”
Round 5: RHP Yuya Ishiguro – #63: Yutaro Itayama (2016-23) / Tsuyoshi Shinjo (1990-92)
“It finally feels real that I am a part of this team. I want to face off against Kazuma Okamoto of the Giants. I also want to asak a lot of pitchers about their feel for the game, especially Murakami. I hope to gain wisdom from them about how to set batters up.”
Round 6: RHP Junya Tsuda – #66: Ippei Ogawa (2020-23) / Yamato (2006-10)
“I always looked up to Chihiro Kaneko and hope to be able to manipulate the ball the way he does. I know Yuasa wears #65 and Iwazaki wore #67 (when he was drafted), and #66 is right between them, so I want to become a pitcher like those two.”
Dev. Round 1: Kai Matsubara – #123: Shota Suzuki (2021)
“I want to ask Jeff Williams a lot of things if he comes to spring training again next year. My first name starts with K, so it would be great to be part of the Reiwa version of JFK.“
Dev. Round 2: Kein Fukushima – #126: Joichiro Maki (2020-22) / Hiroya Shimamoto (2011-14)
“Ohyama is the player I look up to, especially since we went to the same university. I hope to be able to play alongside him, so I need to get my number down to double digits soon. I am ready to run anytime, to use my legs as my weapon.“
Concerning the new guys, skipper Akinobu Okada said, “Don’t say anything to make yourself loved or hated by the media. On the field, you play on a level field with your teammates, regardless of age. Off the field, though, show respect, and become players that are endearing to the players who are older than you as well as to the fans.”
Finally, in the Active Players’ Draft on Friday (December 8), the Tigers said goodbye to Kosuke Baba, who will suit up next year for the Yomiuri Giants. They also say hello to right-handed pitcher Taisei Urushihara, who played for the Orix Buffaloes until this year. His number has yet to be announced.
Good luck to all the new guys!