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.”

See Video of Baba Here

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.

See Video of Takahashi here

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.

See video of Kumagai here

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.

See Video of Shimada here

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.

See Video of Tanigawa here

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.

See Video of Maki here

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.

See Video of Ishii here

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