You can read all about what H-TEN thought we needed to do in the draft (held October 26) in this piece. Below we give some important details about the seven guys who will join the fold in 2018.
Round 1 – Kosuke Baba (馬場 皐輔)
From: Miyagi Prefecture
Date of Birth: May 18, 1995
Drafted Out of: Sendai University (Miyagi)
High School: Sendai Ikuei High (Miyagi)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 180 cm (5’11”)
Weight: 88 kg (194 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
About Baba: He throws a 155 km/h (97 mph) fastball, and also boasts a slider, curve, and fork. He recorded 5 wins in the fall of his senior year, and struck out 60 batters in 37 innings. He’s got a quick windup and misses bats with his low slider. His fastball tends to sail high at times, though.
At his post-draft press conference, Baba commented: “I was really surprised but also relieved to be chosen in the first round. It was unexpected. I know this team has a huge fan base. I’m looking forward to making a difference right from my first year.”
Round 2 – Haruto Takahashi (高橋 遥人)
From: Shizuoka Prefecture
Date of Birth: November 7, 1995
Drafted Out of: Asia University (Tokyo)
High School: Tokohahashi Gakuen High (Shizuoka)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 179 cm (5’10”)
Weight: 80 kg (176 lb)
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
About Takahashi: His fastball maxes out at 151 km/h (94 mph), and he also throws a slider, curve and changeup. His fastball has good deceptive movement on it, as does his slider. He hides his pitches well. Fastball recorded at 148 km/h (92 mph) at All-Japan tournament. He mixes his pitches, can hit the inside and outside corners, but also tends to throw his fastball a little high. In his final season, he occasionally struggled with control. It is reported that as many as six clubs were scouting him quite heavily.
Round 3 – Takahiro Kumagai (熊谷 敬宥)
From: Miyagi Prefecture
Date of Birth: November 10, 1995
Drafted Out of: Rikkyo University
High School: Sendai Ikuei High
Position: Infield (Shortstop)
Height: 175 cm (5’9″)
Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
About Kumagai: Runs the 50 meter in 5.9 seconds. Displays that speed on defense. Was captain and batted second at Rikkyo. He won the stolen base crown in the spring of his senior season, and helped lead his team to its first national title in 59 years. Known more for his glove than his bat.
Round 4 – Kairi Shimada (島田 海吏)
From: Kumamoto Prefecture
Date of Birth: February 6, 1996
Drafted Out of: Jobu University (Gunma)
High School: Kyushu Gakuin (Kumamoto)
Position: Outfield
Height: 176 cm (5’9″)
Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
About Shimada: Runs the 50 meter in 5.8 seconds. Home-to-first speed is 3.9 seconds. Won batting title in the spring of his junior year. Hit game-winning sacrifice fly in Japan vs. America game. Many scouts agree that he is probably the fastest player in this year’s draft. His ability to get infield hits and steal bases will come in handy, but he is said to be vulnerable to low breaking pitches.
Round 5 – Masaki Tanigawa (谷川 昌希)
From: Fukuoka Prefecture
Date of Birth: October 6, 1992
Drafted Out of: Kyushu Mitsubishi (Industrial)
University: Tokyo University of Agriculture
High School: Chikuyo Gakuen High (Fukuoka)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 175 cm (5’9″)
Weight: 81 kg (178 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
About Tanigawa: Maximum fastball speed is 149 km/h (93 mph). Also throws a slider, cutter, curve, two-seamer, fork, and changeup. Threw 8 shutout innings (11 K) in game against Korea. Able to start or throw out of the bullpen. Says he hopes to bring back the glory days of JFK.
Round 6 – Joichiro Maki (牧 丈一郎)
From: Kyoto Prefecture
Date of Birth: September 23, 1999
Drafted Out of: Keishin High School (Fukui)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 181 cm (5’11”)
Weight: 81 kg (178 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
About Maki: Top speed on fastball is 152 km/h (95 mph). Also throws a cutter, curve and forkball. Power pitcher who added 10 km/h to his fastball over last winter. Throws from the stretch. Scouts say as he fills out he will be more of a power pitcher, but also that he would be better out of the bullpen. The Kyoto native says he grew up watching and admiring Toritani and Kanemoto (in his playing days). He also says he will always remember when Andy Sheets waved at him after batting practice at Koshien. Maki is the first player in his high school baseball club’s 12-year history to be drafted by an NPB team.
Development Draft Round 1 – Masaki Ishii (石井 将希)
From: Gunma Prefecture
Date of Birth: July 12, 1995
Drafted Out of: Jobu University (Gunma)
High School: Kiryu Daiichi High School (Gunma)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 179 cm (5’10”)
Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
About Ishii: Throws around 145 km/h (90 mph) and also possesses a slider, curve and changeup. Won outstanding rookie in the spring of his second year while picking up 4 wins.