In October the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pulled off a minor shocker by drafting highly-touted Tokai University pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano.

Sugano had previously stated it was his dream to play for the Yomiuri Giants, managed by his uncle Tatsunori Hara. With this known, most teams passed on Sugano, leaving him free to go to Yomiuri.

A wrench was thrown into his plans when the Fighters drafted him and won the lottery for his rights. Sugano rebuffed the team's advances, deciding to sit out the year and take his chances in this year's draft.