43.2 Tale of Two Childhood Friends

[crobillard]

Ryosei Akahori and Ryosei Akiyama should be seen playing together for extended time for the first time this upcoming season. The Ryosei duo grew up 30 minutes from each other Akahori hailing from Kadoma, Osaka and Akiyama from Kosei, Osaka. They became quick friends after meeting several years ago and would hang out often. They originally bonded over their birthdays just two days apart 9/16/2014 and 9/18/2014, but the similarities don't stop there. They are both tall southpaws with Akahori at 6'8" and Akiyama at 6'4" and they are currently only 10 lbs apart too.

When Akiyama got injured in Spring Training last season, Edmonton GM Chris Robillard explored options to mitigate the team's loss. Akiyama had two player options left and Robillard was concerned that Akiyama could stick with the team and become a financial burden. Knowing how close Akahori is to the damaged pitcher, Robillard reached out to Akahori to get some background information. Apparently the meeting was successful because immediately following the meeting the team bought out the two player options and extended Akiyama at a discount through 2047. Akahori also received an extension this offseason of just over 1 mil through 2045.

The clutch playoff lefty will now get an opportunity to pair up with Akiyama for the next few seasons and they will together try to make it back to the Landis. Akahori can coach Akiyama on how to handle the pressure after winning the Landis in 2041.