He was again used mostly off the bench, but he also got starts at left, along with Schafer and Khris Davis, and was occasionally used in right field in lieu of Norichika Aoki.
There, he was surrounded by an impressive collection of talent: his year included then-right fielder Norichika Aoki (Tokyo Yakult Swallows), third baseman Toshimitsu Higa (Hiroshima Carp) and center fielder Shintaro Yoshida (Orix Buffaloes), all three of whom would later go on to the pros.
Steve Aoki | Yoshino Aoki | Rin Aoki | Devon Aoki | Kotomi Aoki | Isao Aoki | Yūji Aoki | Norichika Aoki | Takao Aoki | Shinya Aoki | Kazuo Aoki |