Orix held a press conference on November 28 to announce the joining of new players for the 2026 academic year. The 10 players selected in the 2025 draft took the stage and talked about their current feelings and determination to become professionals. The following is the determination of each player.
*Draft No. 6 Kenny Ishikawa pitcher is absent because he is not under contract.

Atsuya Fujikawa / pitcher / Right-handed hitter
#31 / Draft 1st place / Nobeoka Gakuen High School

"I think I will appeal firmly from the first year and become a big player in the future, so please support me."

◇Scout Comments
"A strong arm that throws a maximum speed of 153 km pitcher His body size and horsepower are perfect, and he has the potential to become not only an ace of the team in the future, but also a representative pitcher of the baseball world."

Haruki Mori / pitcher / Right-handed and left-handed hitter
#36 / Draft 2nd place / Osaka Toin High School

"First of all, I want to create a body that does not get injured and become a representative pitcher in the baseball world so that I can play an active role on the first-team stage for a long time, so please continue to support me."

◇Scout Comments
"The fastest speed of the tall and spin fastball is 153 km/h. There is still room for growth, and he is a full-fledged right-hander with infinite potential."

Ryugetsu Sato / pitcher / Left-handed pitcher and left-handed hitter
#41 / Draft 3rd place / Takasaki University of Health and Welfare Takasaki High School

"I will do my best to repay the people who have taken care of me so far.

◇Scout Comments
"In his second year of high school, he led the team to victory in the spring Senbatsu Koshien tournament, and he built a mountain of struck out with his sharp slider as a weapon. Like the long-awaited Miyagi pitcher, a good material that can become a pitcher representing the team in the future."

Yosuke Kubota / outfielder / Right-handed pitcher and right-handed hitter
#58 / 4th place in the draft / Sapporo Japan University High School

"I will play in a way that will excite everyone, so please continue to support me."

◇Scout Comments
"His swing speed and power are among the top among high school students, and in addition to his speed of 50 meters and 5.8 seconds, he boasts a maximum speed of 148 kilometers when throwing. Due to his high potential, he has high expectations as a key player in the future."

Shu Takaya / pitcher / Right-handed pitcher Right-handed hitter
#43 / Draft 5th place / Hokkai Gakuen University

"I think you are expecting me to be an immediate force, so I will do my best to contribute to the league championship and Japan as a member of the opening team, Orix and The Buffaloes.

◇Scout Comments
"The fastest right-hander is 153 km. The ball on the base is strong and can swing in the air with fastball. breaking ball is also diverse, and high expectations are high as an immediate pitcher."

Shikira Nogami / catcher / Right-handed pitcher Right-handed hitter
#60 / Draft 7th place / Meishu Gakuen Hitachi High School

"I hope I can cheer up the stadium with energetic play.

◇Scout Comments
"Strong shoulders and strong catcher. Good footwork, second baseman Slow time of 1.8 seconds, and strong shoulders. He is also good at flying far away, and there are expectations that he will be a central axis in the future."

Mikata Haruto / outfielder / Right-handed pitcher and right-handed hitter
#001 / Development Draft No. 1 / Tochigi Golden Braves

"First of all, I will do my best to rise to control and become a force for the Orix championship, so please support me."

◇Scout Comments
"The distance is tremendous, and the batting speed is one of the best in the pros. In the future, it will be a super-large long-distance hitter that can even aim for the home run king."

Shapiro Matthew Ichiro / pitcher / Right-handed pitcher and right-handed hitter
#002 / Development Draft 2nd / Toyama GRN Thunderbirds

"First of all, I will do my best to be registered under control and play an active role in Kyocera Dome Osaka mound as soon as possible, so please support me passionately."

◇Scout Comments
"The power of the weapon pitcher the powerful fastball and fork from the blessed physique. High school and university and the quality of the material shone, but in the past year, it has made a big leap pitcher."

Sodai Nakanishi / infielder / Right-handed pitcher and right-handed hitter
#003 / Training Draft 3rd place / Nissei High School

"Please support me as I will do my best to become a player under control as soon as possible and become a player loved by everyone with my all-out play."

◇Scout Comments
"Even pitcher, it boasts strong shoulders that measure 145 kg, short stop and its stable throwing is a good material for the future of the weapon."

Watanabe Issei / pitcher / Left-handed hitter
#004 / 4th place in the development draft / Sendai University

"I will do my best to become a player who can be registered under control as soon as possible and give hope to short baseball boys, so please support me."

◇Scout Comments
"Powerful fastball and change-up are weapons, and a left-hander who boasts a high strike out rate with attractive pitching that can freely manipulate the pace."