New manager Akihiro Yano performed his first (high-profile) duty as a manager on Thursday, making decisions for the future of the Hanshin Tigers at the 2018 Amateur Draft. The thing about drafts is, there’s no way of knowing if the picks were good until several years later.
But before the draft, having cut three infielders and two left-handed pitchers, the Tigers needed to shore up these areas, plus account for the holes in last season’s squad.
In case you’re interested, here’s a look at the post-draft reports from 2017, 2016 and 2015.
After first trying to get Kyota Fujiwara (Osaka Toin High School star OF) and Ryosuke Tatsumi (Ritsumei University star OF), but losing out in the ballot-drawing to Chiba Lotte Marines and Rakuten Golden Eagles respectively, there was complete astonishment about the almost-unheard-of top pick…
Round 1 – Koji Chikamoto (近本 光司)
From: Hyogo Prefecture
Date of Birth: November 9, 1994
Drafted Out of: Osaka Gas (Industrial League)
High School: Yashiro High School (Hyogo)
University: Kwansei Gakuin University (Hyogo)
Position: Outfield
Height: 170 cm (5’7″)
Weight: 70 kg (154 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
About Chikamoto: His outstanding contact rate combine with his ability to hit to all fields and his speed. He went 11-for-21 in the Intercity Baseball Tournament, earning the MVP Award in the process.
Round 2 – Ryuhei Obata (小幡 竜平)
From: Miyazaki Prefecture
Date of Birth: September 21, 2000
Drafted Out of: Nobeoka Gakuen High School (Miyazaki)
Position: Infield
Height: 180 cm (5’11”)
Weight: 73 kg (161 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
About Obata: He matured under former pro Masayuki Miura. He makes good contact but can also hit for extra bases. Though his team lost in the opening round of the Miyazaki prefectural tournament this past summer, he contributed with a two-run home run.
Round 3 – Seiya Kinami (木浪 聖也)
From: Aomori Prefecture
Date of Birth: June 15, 1994
Drafted Out of: Industrial League (Honda)
High School: Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori)
University: Asia University (Tokyo)
Position: Infield
Height: 178 cm (5’10”)
Weight: 78 kg (172 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
About Kinami: He can play all the infield positions, and displays solid tools. He can hit for power, as shown in the Intercity Baseball Tournament last summer, at which he hit a three-run home run.
Round 4 – Yukiya Saitoh (斎藤 友貴哉)
From: Yamagata Prefecture
Date of Birth: January 5, 1995
Drafted Out of: Industrial League (Honda)
High School: Yamagata Chuo High School (Yamagata)
University: Toin Yokohama University (Kanagawa)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 184 cm (6’0″)
Weight: 92 kg (202 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
About Saitoh: He got a lot of attention while at Toin Yokohama U, but has polished up his fastball even more by working on his control in industrial league play. He’s a power pitcher whose fastball maxes out at 152 km/h.
Round 5 – Riku Kawahara (川原 陸)
From: Nagasaki Prefecture
Date of Birth: December 12, 2000
Drafted Out of: Soseikan High School (Nagasaki)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 185 cm (6’1″)
Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
About Kawahara: In addition to his 141 km/h fastball, he has good movement on his off-speed slider and changeup, and can throw them for strikes. He is strong under pressure as well.
Round 6 – Atsuki Yuasa (湯浅 京己)
From: Mie Prefecture
Date of Birth: July 17, 1999
Drafted Out of: BC League (Toyama GRN Thunderbirds)
High School: Seiko Gakuin (Fukushima Prefecture)
Position: Pitcher
Height: 183 cm (6’0″)
Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
About Yuasa: He did not get a lot of playing time in his high school years at Fukushima powerhouse Seiko Gakuin, but has matured a lot under manager Tomohito Itoh (former pro player). He throws in the upper 140s and gets good angle on his pitches.
Development Draft Round 1 – Yuya Katayama (片山 雄哉)
From: Aichi Prefecture
Date of Birth: June 18, 1994
Drafted Out of: BC League (Fukui Miracle Elephants)
High School: Kariya Technical High School (Aichi)
Position: Catcher
Height: 177 cm (5’9″)
Weight: 83 kg (183 lbs)
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
About Katayama: Showed a lot of growth in his throwing and game calling under manager Masahiko Tanaka (ex-Yakult). He has some punch as a hitter as well, and is highly regarded as a catcher who could make an immediate impact.
Thoughts on the draft will come at a later date, likely on Episode 89 of the podcast and perhaps on a special Vodcast for the Kickstarter campaign supporters. For now, we welcome these guys to the team and hope they all develop into championship contributors in the future!