Japanese article
Rintaro had a 3hr meeting/meal with SoftBank’s GM Mikasa and former Major Leaguer Kenji Johjima (Chief Baseball Officer) in Fukuoka, as well as video messages from Chairman Sadaharu Oh, Owner Masayoshi Son, and Manager Hiroki Ohkubo. He was also offered the #1 (jersey number), toured the facilities, and had a presentation on how they planned to develop him. He said it was a very deep (meaningful) day for him. (*Not in the article, but Softbank has been known for never posting their players to the MLB earlier than their earned international free agency date.)
Rintaro had a 3hr meeting/meal with SoftBank’s GM Mikasa and former Major Leaguer Kenji Johjima (Chief Baseball Officer) in Fukuoka, as well as video messages from Chairman Sadaharu Oh, Owner Masayoshi Son, and Manager Hiroki Ohkubo. He was also offered the #1 (jersey number), toured the facilities, and had a presentation on how they planned to develop him. He said it was a very deep (meaningful) day for him. (*Not in the article, but Softbank has been known for never posting their players to the MLB earlier than their earned international free agency date.)