On the 7th, the members of Samurai Japan who will participate in the 'Luxas Asia Professional baseball Championship 2026' (November 12-15, Tokyo Dome) were announced, and Nippon-Ham catcher Yuya Shindo (24) was selected.

In his third season this year, he appeared in 66 games with a .211 batting average and 18 RBI. He hit his first professional Home Run and showcased his high power-hitting ability by launching 8 shots in just 160 plate appearances. During the off-season independent training, he apprenticed under Asamura of the Rakuten Eagles to review his hitting, which led to his awakening this season. The 'hitting catcher,' who is highly evaluated by Manager Shinjo and the pitcher staff for his framing and throwing, will now represent Japan.

Yuya Shinto. Born March 10, 2002, in Fukuoka Prefecture. 24 years old. At Chikuyo Gakuen (Fukuoka), he appeared in Koshien during the spring and summer of his third year. At Jobu University, he became the starting catcher in the spring of his second year and served as captain during his third and fourth years. He was also selected for the Samurai Japan University National Team and contributed to the victory in the Japan-USA Collegiate Baseball Championship held in July 2023. 182 cm, 95 kg. Right-handed thrower and right-handed hitter. His estimated annual salary for this season is 12 million yen.