Orix Buffaloes Kenya Wakatsuki catcher Kenta Wakatsuki (30) declared on the 16th that he would take on a four-way role, excelling in offense and defense, in order to win the World Baseball Classic for the second consecutive year. On that day, his first-ever appearance in the World Baseball Classic was confirmed. The candidate for the starting catcher, who has maintained his condition with almost no rest since the exhibition games in November 2013, has taken on the weight of representing Japan.

"How much can I contribute to winning? I truly want to work towards winning." He has a body that is resistant to injuries, a strong arm, and stable defense skills. He also showed results in batting, which had been a weakness, with a batting average of .272 in 2025. Believing he would be selected, he has also begun to seriously study videos of pitcher, which he had been secretly continuing. "Things like, 'This pitcher was like this,' etc. Of course, communication will be important," he said, looking only ahead.

He is also expected to be a good helper to Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers, who knows him inside and out. number is "4," the same as that of his idol, Molina (current manager of the Puerto Rico national team), who played for the Cardinals. He is ready to give it his all. (Toru Nagata)