Nippon-Ham pitcher Koki Kitayama (26) announced the birth of his first child on his social media account on the 15th.

He posted a photo on Instagram of himself holding his newborn's feet and announced, "We have a new addition to our family," adding, "I truly feel the preciousness of life, and my gratitude towards my wife has deepened even more."

She continued, "I will continue to work hard with gratitude so that I can protect precious lives and so that we can all live happy lives."

Kitayama entered the professional league after being selected 8th overall by Nippon-Ham in the 2021 draft. In 2024, he was selected to represent Japan in the Premier 12. In his fourth year in 2025, he maintained his place in the starting rotation, recording 9 wins and 5 losses in 22 appearances, a 1.63 ERA, and 149 innings pitched, all career-highs. Midway through the season, number was changed from 57 to 15, making this a breakthrough year for him.

In his personal life, he announced in October last year that he had married an ordinary woman.