Expectations are high for young Hawks like Tomoya Inoue and Ryuta Hirose to make an impression despite limited playing time | Pacific League

Expectations are high for young Hawks such as Tomoya Inoue and Ryuta Hirose to make an impression despite limited playing opportunities

Pacific League Insight

March 3, 2026 22:43

An exhibition game between Fukuoka Softbank and Tokyo Yakult will be held at MIZUHO PayPay Dome from 6:00 p.m. on March 4th.

Fukuoka Softbank has had veterans playing in exhibition games since the 3rd. In that game, No. 4 hitter Yuki Yanagita recorded one hit and one Walk. Last season, he only played in 20 games due to injury, but he showed his impressive batting prowess with a .455 batting average in the Japan Series. He hopes to start the season in top condition and finish the season injury-free.

Also, keep an eye on how the young players will perform after the veterans drop back to the middle of the game. Tomoya Inoue, a sixth-year player who entered the game as defense in place of Yanagi, recorded a hit to right field in his first at-bat. Ryuta Hirose also recorded two hit despite coming in as a substitute. Will he be able to make the most of his limited playing time among the deep Fukuoka Softbank fielder?

Written by Kai Nagi Niwa