"Compared to the two first-year players, I actually have higher hopes for the two second-years, Kominato Ryousuke and Isashiki Jun. Both already have First-string level ability. Even if they can't immediately become starters, they can still contribute from the dugout. Most importantly, they will be core pieces of our next generation."
Coach Kataoka did not begin by mentioning Miyuki or Zhang Han at all. Instead, he named the two second-year players first.
Hearing those names, Takashima Rei and Ota both nodded. They had watched the welcome match as well, and their evaluation of those two was extremely high.
Anyone who had seen their performance as first-year players would find it hard to believe how much they had grown.
When he entered Seido, Kominato Ryousuke was almost dismissed as a promising talent simply because of his height. He was an entire head shorter than boys his age.
Even though Seido never had an official height requirement, the probability of success for players that small was far too low. In speed, in power, in room for growth. Short players were disadvantaged everywhere.
So even though Kominato's fundamentals were impressive from day one, most of the coaching staff had not believed he would amount to much.
No one expected that in just one year, he would transform completely.
His height was unchanged, but his presence on the field had become impossible to ignore.
Earlier today, nearly every senior on the Old-timers Team had struggled helplessly against Zhang Han. His growth after joining Seido was so explosive that many upperclassmen fell behind him without even realizing it. No one knew how to deal with him.
At that critical moment, the one who stepped up and fully exposed Zhang Han's weakness was Kominato Ryousuke. He was the reason the Old-timers Team managed to score three runs in the final inning.
As for Isashiki Jun. Among the second-years, he had always been second only to Chris and Yuuki. And in the welcome match, he performed exactly as expected.
Six at-bats. Four hits. One walk. Three RBIs.
He was even the only player to land a clean hit off Zhang Han during his first pitching appearance.
Yes, the Freshman Team's pitching depth was weak, so his stats needed some discount. But even after discounting, the numbers were impressive.
A player performing this well on the second team simply had to be promoted.
It was hard to believe that both Kominato and Isashiki had been largely ignored during their first year. Even Kataoka himself had doubts back then. But their growth now was undeniable.
"There's no question about those two," Takashima Rei said, adjusting her glasses. "Not only are they stronger than the third-years who were removed, they're not inferior to the remaining First-string players either."
Ota nodded. He had not been optimistic about them last year. But now, their ability, their diligence, and their progress made the promotion completely natural.
"Then, Director, what are your thoughts on the two freshmen?" he asked.
For the second-year promotion slots, the three leaders were essentially aligned.
Masuko Toru, though hardworking and gifted with great strength, had equally glaring weaknesses. Compared to the remaining third-years, he was at best equal, not superior.
Seido promoted based on ability. If a younger player was truly better, age did not matter.
But if their ability was the same, there was no reason to replace a loyal upperclassman who had supported the team longer.
This was why Masuko was not chosen. Kuramochi and Shirasu were also excluded—not because they were bad, but because they were not good enough to justify displacing a third-year.
"Regarding the two freshmen," Kataoka began, "I agree to promote both of them. Miyuki is a newcomer, but his talent as a catcher already surpasses Miyauchi. It is appropriate to bring him into the First-string."
He did not mention the other reason.
Miyauchi, though talented, was in the same year as Chris. And he was nowhere near Chris's level. From a team-building perspective, investing in Miyuki was clearly more valuable than investing in another player who could never replace the main catcher.
As for the third-year catcher, his ability lagged too far behind. If not, he wouldn't have lost the starting position to Chris, who was a year younger.
"What about Zhang Han? How should we position him?" Ota asked.
Kataoka paused before answering.
"Zhang Han's control and velocity already meet high school standards. However, he only throws a regular Fastball. His Changeup is negligible, and his pitching motion is too large. At this stage, I don't think he should immediately serve as a pitcher. Let him focus on hitting first. Once his hitting is polished, we can revisit his pitching potential."
Zhang Han had clear talent in both pitching and hitting.
Especially hitting. In that area, his natural gifts were frightening. Even in a powerhouse like Seido, talents like his were rare, once in a decade.
Kataoka believed Zhang Han might one day reach Azuma's level or even surpass him.
His pitching talent was less overwhelming, but still solid. Given time, he could develop into a strong pitcher.
But a student's energy was limited. He could not chase two paths at once, not at the beginning.
If they wanted Zhang Han to contribute to the team as soon as possible, the more reliable route was hitting. As for pitching, his issues were too severe to fix quickly.
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