About a month out from the start of their debut Australian Baseball League season, the Auckland Tuatara continue to build a formidable roster.
Already with plenty of former and future Major League Baseball talent as well as local players on the roster, they've added more strength to the pitching and infield staff, bringing in a trio of players from Japan.
The Tuatara have signed rising infield star Taiga Hirasawa along with pitching duo Tomohito Sakai and Atsuki Taneichi from the Chiba Lotte Marines - who play in Japan's top competition.
Hirasawa, 20, has shown plenty to be excited about since joining the Marines in 2016. The young shortstop brings a big bat, speed and a solid defensive foundation he hoped to build on while playing in Auckland.
Sakai, 25, and Taneichi, 20, should also play a big role with the Tuatara and were expected to find a home in the Auckland side's starting rotation.
