2002 Draft Part 1

As most of you know, the draft rules have changed this year. Each team who is signing a player via gyaku shimei ("reversed designation" - where an Industrial League or university player may decide which team to be drafted by) in the first two rounds made their picks yesterday (November 12th), with the "real" draft happening next week (11/19).

Five teams made seven picks and will thus sit out the first round or two next Monday.

Yakult went with Aoyama University left handed pitcher Ishikawa Masanori (last name first).

Hanshin signed two, right handed pitcher Andoh Yuuya from Toyota Auto and Hodai catcher Asai Ryoh.

The remaining signees were in the Pacific League.

Seibu signed Aomori University catcher Hosokawa Tooru, looking for a catcher to take the place of future manager Itoh.

Orix signed left handed pitcher Ogawa Yusuke from Tachimei (?) University and infielder Hirano Keiichi from Tokai Univerity.

Finally, the biggest news was Nippon Ham signing Waseda's right handed pitcher Ejiri Shintaro. While Ejiri's "magical" slider could very well win him a spot on the top team his first year, the reason it was big news was because most expected the Fighters to wave rights to a gyaku shimei player and go for drawing high school ace Terahara.

That leaves Chunichi, Yokohama, Daiei, and the Giants all drawing tokens for Terahara in the first round next Monday. To Terahara's relief, these are the four teams he said he'd like to play for, threatening to "study" overseas for three years or take the university and/or Industrial League course if drawn by any other club.

So, who will draw Terahara? Tune in next week to find out.