[Orix] Sho Iwasaki announces his intention to stay with the team without exercising his overseas free agent rights: “I want to win with this team.” His goal is to make 50 appearances next season.
Sports Hochi
2025.10.31(金) 15:00
On the 31st, Orix Buffaloes pitcher Sho Iwasaki announced his intention to remain with the team without exercising the overseas free agent rights he acquired in July. This season marks his 18th year as a professional, and he joined the team in a trade from Chunichi Dragons in May. He revealed that he had signed a two-year contract starting this season, and passionately expressed his desire, saying, “I had a really good season. In the end, I wanted to win the championship with this team. I want to become a player who can contribute so that we can once again compete for the championship.”
Despite joining midway through the season, he established himself in the team’s winning streak, posting a record of 4 wins and 1 loss with ERA 2.12 in 37 games. “The transfer was a chance, and coming to Orix has once again changed baseball career for the better,” he said, looking back on a fulfilling year. Secretly, he is looking to get revenge for this season, when he allowed a game-winning hit to Nippon-Ham Fighters’ Reyes in the second game of the first series of the CS, resulting in a series loss. “At the end, it ended like that with Reyes, so I hope I can improve so that I can push the ball down that same path again,” he said, vowing to further improve.
He plans to use weights to shadow pitch to regain his sense of touch, while also improving his condition for next season. “It was a very rewarding experience to pitch in a winning pattern for the first time in a while. I’m incredibly grateful, so I’d like to pitch for the team in any situation, in any situation,” said Iwasaki. “Personally, I wasn’t able to clear 50 games, so that’s the minimum (goal). Of course, I’d like to aim for the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings as well,” he said, setting a high standard for himself for next season, when he will be 36 years old.
Related News
・ [Orix] Taisuke Yamaoka will not exercise his domestic free agent rights and will remain with the team. An official announcement will be made soon. Sho Iwasaki, who has acquired overseas free agent rights, will also remain with the team.
・ [Orix] Taisuke Yamaoka is considering exercising his domestic free agent rights, “It just ended…” Sho Iwasaki doesn’t say much.
・ [Orix] Sho Iwasaki hopes to repay his former team by pitching consecutive games, saying, “I want to repay the favor by pitching,” and “I will never forget the cheers.”
・ [Orix] Sho Iwasaki, who joined the team in a cash trade with Chunichi Dragons, said at his joining press conference on June 1st, “I will repay my debt by doing well in my new environment.”
・ [Pacific League CS] Orix ‘s veteran pitcher Sho Iwasaki was surprised by the game-winning two-run hit by Reyes in the eighth inning. “It ended because of me. I’m sorry to the team.”
AloJapan.com