Saitama’s Own: Seibu Lions Call Up Hard-Throwing Rookie Keita Horikoshi to the Big Leagues
On May 6, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) announced the active roster changes for the Pacific League, highlighting the first-ever promotion of Keita Horikoshi to the Saitama Seibu Lions' top team. A fourth-round draft pick this year, the rookie pitcher is finally ready to make his mark on the professional stage. Standing 185 cm tall and weighing 96 kg, Horikoshi is an imposing right-hander hailing from Hanno, Saitama Prefecture. He is known as a "lifelong Lion at heart," having been a member of the Seibu Lions official fan club since childhood. Regarding his promotion to the first squad of his hometown team, Horikoshi expressed his focus, stating, "I feel a sense of tightening resolve." After overcoming a shoulder injury sustained during his time at Tohoku Fukushi University, Horikoshi has been steadily climbing the ranks in the farm league this season. His recent performance in the minors was stellar, surrendering only one hit and zero runs over 2 2/3 inning...