Yoshinobu Yamamoto's "boyfriend," Orix Buffaloes Kenya Wakatsuki, is selected for the WBC for the first time, bringing back the strongest battery | Pacific League

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's "boyfriend" Kenya Wakatsuki of Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes selected for WBC for the first time, reviving the strongest battery

Sports Hochi

2026.1.16(金) 12:00

　侍ジャパンの井端弘和監督（５０）が１６日、３月の第６回ワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（ＷＢＣ）に出場する日本代表メンバー１１人を追加発表し、オリックス・若月健矢捕手（３０）が選出された。主要国際大会は初出場となる扇の要は「チームの勝利に少しでも貢献できるように、全力で準備をして大会に臨みたいと思います」と力を込めた。

Wakatsuki joined Orix Buffaloes from Hanasaki Tokuharu (Saitama) as the third pick in the 2013 draft. With catcher such as Ito (now Rakuten Eagles) and Fushimi (now with Hanshin Tigers) on the roster, he earned his first opening starting line-up in 2017 and played in 100 games for the first time. In 2019, he played in a career-high 138 games. After that, his appearances decreased due to the addition of Tonmiya and Mori, and he fell short of 100 games, but last season he played in 121 games. He also posted a batting average of .272 and was selected as a member of the team for the warm-up game "LUXAS Samurai Japan Series 2025 Japan vs. Korea" in November.

He is also expected to be a man who knows the Dodgers Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitcher (27). Although it has not been announced at this time, Yamamoto is expected to make the Samurai Japan team. The team was a battery until Yamamoto's Orix Buffaloes 23rd year with the team, and the two won the Best Battery Award together for three consecutive years starting in 2009.　The major league team is likely to join the team just before the tournament, and it is likely that catcher they will take on the WBC as a go-getter with almost no balls in the air. In this situation, Wakatsuki, who knows Yamamoto, who is expected to be the ace of the team, will be a reassuring presence.

catcher is such an important position that he is referred to as the on-ground manager during games. In December of last year, he said with shining eyes, "I want to prepare as if I'll be selected. I think it will be an experience beyond my imagination, so I'm really looking forward to it if I am selected." This will be his first time competing in a major international tournament, but he will be the key player in the team and aim to become the world's best.

◆ Wakatsuki Kenya Born on October 4th, 1995 in Kazo City, Saitama. 30 years old. Played in the Spring Koshien tournament as a third-year student at Hanasaki Tokuharu High School. U-18 Japan national team member. Joined Orix Buffaloes as the third pick in the 2013 draft. Won the Best Battery Award with Yamamoto Yoshinobu (currently with the Dodgers) for three consecutive years from 2021. Golden Glove Award in 2023 and 2025, and Best Nine in 2025. 180 cm, 88 kg. Throws and bats right-handed. Annual salary is 180 million yen (estimated).

◆ 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 Kaiba Taira (Seibu Lions)

66 ★ Yuki Matsumoto (Softbank Hawks)