Introducing players I want the Nippon-Ham Fighters to select in the 2024 Draft (Part 1) - Rui Muneyama

Having an event in the year that you just can't wait for really adds color to life, doesn't it?

For example, I get the impression that many people who love Fuji Rock feel like their world revolves around it.

For me, while watching my young sons grow is a joy, they will be independent in the blink of an eye in ten years, so I need 'something to look forward to after that'.

But I'll be fine.

Because I have the 'Professional Baseball Draft Meeting' that I love so dearly.

Last year was fun, too.

It was a bumper crop for college pitchers, and our Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters selected Haruki Hosono, the 158 km/h left-hander from Toyo University, in the first round.

Although he has some control issues, that extraordinary fastball from a left-hander is so appealing, isn't it?

I feel like the Nippon-Ham coaching style, which basically leaves things to the players' autonomy without saying too much, will fit him well and he will succeed. I'm already excited.

After the meeting ends, my annual routine is to soak in the afterglow the next day, open the list of selected players in the sports newspapers (Sankei and Nikkan), and watch the entire recording of the Sky A draft meeting broadcast until the development selections are finished, inputting it all into my brain.

'Ah, that was fun.'

With that, my year effectively ends (even though it's still the end of October).

And from the very next day, the outlook for next year's draft begins.

The year has changed, and it is now 2024.

This year looks like another bumper crop year, especially for college position players.

I can't deny that I'm getting way ahead of myself, but I feel like it might be bad for my health if I don't share these overflowing thoughts with someone, so I've titled this 'Introducing players I want the Nippon-Ham Fighters to select in the 2024 Draft' and will introduce two carefully selected players in order.

Nippon-Ham's annual first-round draft policy is very easy to understand and clear.

'Even if we disregard the positions we need to strengthen, we will select the number one player of the year in the first round.'

This stance has truly never wavered, and it is one of the reasons why I love Nippon-Ham.

'If that's the case, then this year it will be one of these two.'

So, I will be introducing the first of these players.

① Rui Muneyama (Infielder / Meiji University)

The Nippon-Ham Fighters' biggest current weak point (area for reinforcement) is undoubtedly the middle infield.

It just so happens that the centerpiece of this year's draft is a player who fits that spot perfectly. Lucky!

His name is Rui Muneyama. He is a shortstop.

People are calling him the 'second coming of Toritani,' who was a star for the Hanshin Tigers. Or, they say, 'If you draft this player, the shortstop position will be secure for 10 years.'

In fact, I cannot help but feel he is a 'once-in-a-lifetime talent,' a 'sure thing' player who is super high-level in both offense and defense.

What makes him a 'sure thing'?

The biggest basis for that 'certainty' is his defensive ability.

Well, I just want you to see it for yourself.

How should I put it... it's just...

It's 'beautiful,' isn't it? Fantastic!

There are several videos of him on YouTube, and I find myself watching them over and over again.

Wide defensive range. His fielding position and posture. Handling, throwing, and arm strength. Everything is top-notch.

Above all, what catches the eye most is the overwhelming 'speed' from fielding the ball to throwing it.

It must be the result of polishing his innate sense with tireless effort.

While that alone is wonderful, he also possesses a 'second gift.'

That's right. His batting is also amazing.

He became a regular in the fall of his freshman year, and over three years, he has a career batting average of .348 with 94 hits, including 8 home runs.

In the 2024 season, there are high expectations for him to break the record of 131 hits held by his Meiji University senior, former Hanshin player Shun Takayama.

Now, let's take a look at Muneyama's recent batting.

He has hit 8 home runs so far, but he is more of a skilled hitter than a slugger.

As Coach Fukuou has also pointed out in the video, it seems there are still some issues with his swing speed and overall physical strength.

I suspect this is why he couldn't get the ball in the air last year and didn't hit a single home run.

However, the fact that he was able to put up these numbers even in that state is proof of his exceptional contact ability, and if anything, it makes me feel that he has even more room to grow.

He is a clever player, so I speculate that since his issues were clearly identified last year, he has been working on them, and we might see an even more evolved 'Evolved Muneyama' this year.

He has set 'Triple Crown' as his goal for this year, but since he already has a good batting form, I hope he doesn't get too caught up in hitting home runs and focuses primarily on overcoming the aforementioned issues.

If he does that, the results should follow naturally, and even if he doesn't hit as many home runs as he envisions, I don't think his evaluation will drop.

That concludes my introduction to Muneyama, a player who has been 'blessed with two gifts from heaven'.

But the scary thing is, he also has a 'third gift'.

Could you please take another close look at the video I attached?

That's right. He is quite the 'handsome guy'.

With such amazing talent combined with his good looks, he is bound to be popular.

There is no way that teams would ignore such a rare player who is likely to bring a major 'double plus' to both team strength and box office revenue.

Some happy draft news regarding Muneyama came in on New Year's Day.

Man, I'm happy.

Although it's not set in stone yet, for team executives to say it's 'highly likely' this early on means he is being evaluated very highly.

I speculate that there might even be a '1st round pick declaration' at a very early stage, just like with Roki Sasaki.

This is his final year, and he has also been appointed captain.

I want to watch closely to see how he performs while carrying that heavy responsibility.

Good luck, Rui Matsuyama.

And, of course, it would be fine to say "Matsuyama is the definite first-round pick," but there is one other "talent the likes of which we may never see again" this year.

I plan to introduce that "other person" next time.

Thank you for your continued support.