On the 26th, Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announced the team members for the 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held next March, and Nippon-Ham-Hiromi Ito pitcher Hiroshi Ito was selected. number will be "14".

The right-handed pitcher, who will be participating in his second consecutive tournament following 2013, commented, "I am very honored to have been selected as a member of the national team. I am proud to be able to play with the Japanese flag on my back alongside such great players. I will do my best to face my opponents with all my strength, being true to myself, in any situation, and show the world Japan's strength."

In his fifth season, he never missed a start in the rotation from the opening game, starting in 27 games. He won 14 games, earning him the most wins title for the second consecutive year, and also won the most strike out title with 195 strike out, earning him the Sawamura Award by unanimous decision. In the 2023 WBC, he pitched brilliantly in the final against the USA, retiring the side in order from the 6th inning with a two-run lead, and giving up no runs in one inning, contributing to Japan reclaiming the world title. He will be aiming for the top of the world again in this tournament, having grown even more.

▽ pitcher

1. Yuki Matsui (Padres)

14. Hiromi Ito (Nippon-Ham)

15. The Giants

16. Ohtani (Dodgers)

17 Yusei Kikuchi (Angels)

26. Atsuki Taneichi (Lotte)

61. Kaima Taira (Seibu Lions)

69. Daichi Ishii (Hanshin Tigers)

* number before name