On the first day of training camp in Miyazaki on the 1st, Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes pitcher Alen Kuri (34) threw a scorching 350 pitches in bullpen. While he had thrown over 400 pitches during his time at Asia University, this was his highest professional total, surpassing the 347 he threw on February 4, 2021, while with Hiroshima. The 13-year-old right-hander, whose goal for his second year after free agency is to throw 230 inning, stunned the management with his astonishing pitching performance, earning him the right to pitch for the opening pitcher for the second time since 2012.

In Miyazaki, where the temperature was 11 degrees, the roar of Kuri sounded. "Oya!" and "Okay!" From 11:20 a.m., he continued to silently swing his arms with an all-fastball, and before he knew it, 90 minutes had passed. When he finished throwing the last pitch, he smiled bitterly and said, "I don't have the stamina to speak...". He regulated his breathing and said, "I have to do a pitch that doesn't go down mound even if I'm willful," revealing the intention behind throwing in a different dimension.

"The fatigue you feel when complete game or shutout game doesn't come until you throw 200, 300 pitches in pitching practice. I want to be able to perform well even when my body is tired." In 2025, his first year after the transfer, he recorded 222 pitches on the 6th, but he said, "I had a general idea of the flow of the training camp. I worked backwards and decided on it from the off-season," and brought forward his "super training day." In 2021, when he was with Hiroshima, he threw 347 pitches and won the most games with 13 wins. "I need to improve even more. I'm relieved that I've surpassed that number of pitches (laughs)," he said, expressing his joy at achieving his "career high."

His kindness is also on another level. In response to Wakatsuki's request to take part in live batting practice (batting practice in a realistic game setting) in Maishima, Osaka, in January, when temperatures were 5 degrees Celsius, he pitched at the request of Wakatsuki, who will be making his first appearance in the WBC in March. "I'm really happy that he relies on me like that," he said, playing a part in helping his junior prepare. Soya, who readily accepted Wakatsuki's request to become his "apprentice" and has been training with him during the off-season, has also joined the Japanese national team. "I've been looking after him, so I'll do it until the end," he said, not at all afraid of his own preparation being thrown off, and on this day they played catch together with the ball used in the WBC.

Manager Kishida looked satisfied with the 13-year right-hander, who has not even developed blisters on his fingertips, saying, "I was surprised, but he has impressive stamina. The younger players have a lot to learn from watching him." With ace Miyagi also taking part in the WBC, Kuri admitted that he is one of the candidates for opening pitcher, saying, "Everyone is competing..." Kuri himself is also enthusiastic about taking on this big role for the first time in two years, saying, "I had the chance to experience it once, but it is still special. There are a lot of young players. I'm an old man, but I'm still determined not to lose..." Last season, he led the team with 11 wins. It looks like "Iron Arm Allen" will continue to do well in his second year after the transfer. (Nambu Shunta)