"The man who can tease Shohei Ohtani," Kensuke Kondo, has decided to play in the WBC. "Let's encourage Shohei to try again," he says. | Pacific League

Kensuke Kondo, the man who can tease Shohei Ohtani, has qualified for the WBC. The victory-winning player who has won three major tournaments in a row said, "Let's have Shohei do his best once again."

Sports Hochi

January 16, 2026 12:00

On the 16th, Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (50) announced the addition of 11 members to the Japanese national team that will participate in the 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, with Softbank Hawks outfielder Kensuke Kondo (32) being included in the team for the second consecutive tournament.

"I am happy to be able to compete again on such a big stage as the WBC, wearing the Japanese flag. Our goal for this tournament is to win back-to-back championships, and I would like to be of help towards that goal. I will fight with all my might, feeling grateful and responsible for being selected to represent Japan. And I hope Shohei (Otani) will do his best once again," he commented.

Kondo has been a "championship contractor" in major international tournaments, having reached the top of each of them, including the 2019 Premier 12, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he played in every game as the second batter and right fielder, batting before Ohtani, and made his presence felt by contributing to the team's victory with 9 hits At Bat 26 hit for a batting average of .346.

Kondo also played a valuable role as "the guy who can tease Ohtani." While many players were meeting Ohtani for the first time, as a senior who played with him at Nippon-Ham, he remained frank and honest, acting as a mediator between Ohtani and the other members and contributing to the team's unity. Kondo's role is likely to be important in allowing Ohtani to play freely without having to worry about anything.

His abilities are undeniable. While there have been seasons where he didn't reach the required number of plate appearances, since 2017, the only time his batting average fell below .300 was in 2021, when it was .298. In 2023, he won both Home Run title and RBI title, adding power hitting and clutch hitting to his arsenal. Last season, he underwent back surgery after the season began, but still managed to play in 75 games, batting .301 with 10 Home Run and 41 RBI. At 32 years old, he is the third oldest position fielder after Makihara (Softbank Hawks) and Genda (Seibu Lions), both of whom will be 33 at the time of the tournament, and he will be leading the team in their quest for the top spot once again.

Manager Ibata revealed that he had been concerned about Kondo's condition, saying, "I've been in contact with him regularly since December (last year), and even before this announcement. I've been checking his current situation as I go along."

Kensuke Kondo (Kensuke Kondoh) Born August 9, 1993, in Chiba, Japan. 32 years old. He was drafted 4th overall in the 2011 draft by Yokohama High School Nippon-Ham and moved to Softbank Hawks in 2011. MVP, Home Run King, RBI King, and hitter First place, once each. He was a four-time highest baserunner and five-time Best Nine (outfield three times, DH twice). Total of 1361 games played, 107 Home Run, 646 RBI, .370 batting average. 173 cm, 85 kg. He throws right-handed and bats left-handed. His salary this season is an estimated 550 million yen.

◆ WBC Japan national team members

★ indicates the players announced this time

[pitcher = 10]

1. Yuki Matsui (Padres)

14. Taikai Ito (Nippon-Ham)

15. Large group (The Giants)

16. Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)

17 Yusei Kikuchi (Angels)

19. Tomoyuki Sugano (Orioles free agent)

26. Atsuki Taneichi (Lotte)

61. Kaima Taira (Seibu Lions)

66 ★ Yuki Matsumoto (Softbank Hawks)