The draft meeting took place a few days before Kurosawa decided to join the team.
The Shizuoka Oceans' first round draft pick was left-handed pitcher Tabe, a standout in the professional league. The second round pick was catcher Shigemoto, a college graduate with a strong arm and powerful hitting ability. With the third round pick, they selected infielder Yoshikawa, another professional player. He had a reputation for being the best defensive player in amateur baseball, with his main position being second base.
To be honest, I thought that just the addition of Yoshikawa to the team would mean the birth of a strong rival. But then, the news of Kurosawa joining the team hit like a thunderbolt. Kurosawa's presence would likely end any fierce competition for the second base position.
I realized how naive I was to think that my opportunity had come when Thomas Lowry left the club. Professional baseball teams don't leave any gaps unfilled for the next season. Now, my rival for the second base position was Kurosawa, one of the best players among the 12 teams. I couldn't help but feel despair.
As November arrived, the second period for notifying players that they were no longer part of the team began. To be honest, I was worried. The situation had changed dramatically in the last few days. There were many candidates for the second base position. Frankly speaking, I felt surplus. There was the former first-round draft pick, Uchizawa, the defensive master Iida, the power-hitting Noda, and Adachi, who was in his second year and then there was me.
*It wouldn't be surprising if I were the first one to be cut from the team.*
To make matters worse, I joined the team late in the draft. It's not as if I joined with high expectations. I spent every day in anxiety until the end of the notification period.
When I went to sleep, I had dreams many times of being notified that I was no longer needed. I would wake up in the middle of the night, realize it was just a dream, and feel incredibly relieved. Any moment of free time made me anxious, so I practiced more than ever.
The Shizuoka Oceans notified two other players that they were no longer part of the team. This time, I wasn't one of them. Somehow, I survived for another year.
One day, halfway through fall training camp, I was called by Yatsu, the second-team infield defense coach. *What could it be?* I didn't think he would be notifying me that I was no longer needed, and the notification period had already passed.
Feeling anxious, I knocked on the door of the coaching room where Coach Yatsu was waiting. He got straight to the point.
"There's been talk of converting you to the outfield. What do you think?"
The gist was clear: Kurosawa joined the team as a free agent, intensifying the competition for infield positions. By converting me to the relatively thin outfield, I would get more playing time.
"Let me think about it," I replied.
If I could play outfield, I would get more playing time. I have speed, so it might be possible to utilize it for outfield defense. *Become a utility player or an expert in a niche role. Who will survive as a pro?*
When former coach Yamashiro was leaving the team, he once said, "Even if there is an offer to convert to the outfield, turn it down." But now is not the time to be choosy. Of course, it would be great to play professionally as a second baseman or shortstop. But in this situation, playing time is crucial. The most important thing is to survive as a professional. I decided to take some time to think about it and left the coach's room.
I returned to the dorm and went to Taniguchi's room. Taniguchi's room was rather bleak, with just a bed, a closet, barbells, and protein bags for weight training. A bookshelf lined with baseball-related books was the only other furniture.
"So, what do you think?" I asked him.
"Hmm. I know this sounds strange, but there are a lot of players like you on our team. I don't know if you'll get more playing time if you move to the outfield."
Indeed, the Shizuoka Oceans outfield is full of fast players, including Tajima, Nishitani, and Takeshita. Would I be able to join them and make use of my strengths? Outfielders are also required to have strong arms. *I have an average arm. Not particularly strong.*
And outfielders are expected to hit well. Considering all that, I didn't think switching to outfield would guarantee more playing time.
"I'm not saying this just because you'll have more rivals, but I think it would be better for you not to move to the outfield."
"Hmm, I see. Thank you. That was helpful," I said, and left Taniguchi's room.
If I continue as an infielder, my future looks bleak. Even if I switch to outfield, it will be a thorny path.
*This is the time for that person to step in.* I immediately made a phone call.