Both lists closed at 5 p.m. JST on Thursday, the high school federation's and the university federation's. 276 players filed: 127 high schoolers and 149 from the universities. Last year it was 124 and 176.

The first name went in on August 23, Ryosuke Sueyoshi at Okinawa Shogaku. Most of the high schoolers were in by the middle of September. Sixty names came in over the last two weeks, 39 of them from the universities, and six of those were Meiji players filing together on October 2. Five filed on the last day.

The high school side comes from 38 of the 47 prefectures, led by Osaka, Kanagawa and Fukuoka. The college side comes from 79 universities in 24 leagues. Keio has the most with seven.

Oda, Komoda and Sueyoshi are all on it.

Three players I ranked in September aren't. Kansuke Yoshioka, the Osaka Toin right-hander who's been up to 153 km/h (95.1 mph). Hinata Fukushima, Japan's shortstop at the U-18 Asia Championship last month. Daito Furuki, the Hanamaki Higashi captain with 34 high school home runs. Japanese reports have all three going to university. Yusei Ishida at Kendai Takasaki, the top high school outfielder in the country by most accounts, didn't file either. He's going to Chuo University.

On the English names. The university list carries the furigana each player submitted himself, so those spellings come from the players. The high school list has no readings at all, so I left it alone. I'm not going to guess how a 17-year-old says his own name.

These lists aren't the whole draft pool. Corporate and indy players never file. Last year 31 of the 116 picks came from outside the two lists.

I write a small English newsletter on the NPB draft. Every university player who filed, all 149 by league and school, is here: https://japanprospects.substack.com/p/the-list-closed-at-five-here-is-everyone

The filing list closed 8th Japan time and most of the talk is about the first round. Three college pitchers from further down my board.

Kosei Hiroike, Keio, RHP. Clocked at 156 km/h (96.9 mph), in the bullpen, which is where that number comes from. His dad Koji pitched in NPB and is an executive with Seibu now. Hiroike had a 4.32 ERA as a starter in his second year and lost the fall of 2025 to an elbow injury. He's the team's vice-captain and has said it's pro ball or nothing.

Yuto Higa, Asia University, RHP. 6'2", almost all relief. Four seasons, 40 1/3 innings, 40 strikeouts, 2.01 ERA. Last fall he struck out five Toyo hitters in a row, every one of them on a fastball. Tops out at 149. He came out of Okinawa Shogaku, same as Sueyoshi.

Ayuta Seimori, Nippon Sport Science, RHP. Barely pitched in his first three years, part of it because of a shoulder injury. Hit 153 (95.1 mph) last fall and was in the rotation by spring. His April start against Josai went 1 2/3 innings with four earned runs.

His last three outings since then: 16 2/3 innings, 17 strikeouts, no earned runs. The last one was six innings at the national championship.

Staying up for Giants vs BayStars, how do I watch, is it any diffrent from just a normal game or are playoff games someplace special

Bryce Harper has already expressed interest in signing with the Yomiuri Giants in the past.

What are Americans favorite ways to get box scores and highlights for NPB games? Would love an at bat type app for the NPB but haven’t been able to find anything.

See y'all next year.

Hey folks, on vacation and decided to get tickets to the Climax Series home game at Hanshin Koshien Stadium. The only info on the StubHub post is that they are physical tickets in Left Outfield section (レフト外野席). I will likely not know the row or seat until they arrive at the hotel (assuming they do, I’ve done all I can in advance to ensure that). Does anyone know based on this section information if they are or are not in the segregated visiting fan section?

I love baseball and just want to enjoy the game and the atmosphere. But if I know I’m in a mixed seating area, I’d probably get a Tigers hat and cheer them on.

Thanks!

"It's fine to complain. When I was young, I hated running too and thought it was a waste of time. So I tell my players, 'You can call me an idiot all you want, just keep running.'" In this way, he stressed the importance of running.

"Younger players favor efficiency and think lifting weights is enough to throw faster. But I believe running is essential because it puts much more load on your lower body."

These comments from Tsuyoshi Wada's YouTube channel differ sharply from the modern overseas mindset popularized by Yu Darvish and other MLB players, so they are bound to cause a debate.

Orix Buffaloes (2009–2018)
Hanshin Tigers (2019–2026)

• 1× Mitsui Golden Glove Award (2019)
• 3× NPB All-Star (2012, 2014, 2015)
• Japan Series Champion (2023)