2026 Professional baseball Draft Conference supported by Lipovitan D (22nd)

Asia University's hard-throwing pitcher Hiroto Kawajiri (4th year, Takaoka Commercial High School) was selected as the first-round pick by the Seibu Lions.

He is one of the best right-handed pitchers in the Sengoku Toto League, boasting a maximum speed of 158 km/h, and in addition to his signature slider, his splitter also has sharp break.

Although he had issues with control until the spring, his form stabilized this autumn, and in the game against Kokugakuin University on the 13th, he achieved the 12th no hitter in the league in 22 years with a brilliant performance of 11 strike outs. He contributed significantly to the team's 28th overall championship title, their first since the spring of 2022.

Manager Nishiguchi succeeded in the solo pick and expressed his joy, saying, 'I am relieved. He is a large-scale power pitcher. A pitcher full of charm.'

Keito Kawajiri. Born October 23, 2004, in Toyama City, Toyama. 21 years old. At Takaoka Commercial High School, he appeared in the 2022 Summer Koshien wearing number 3. He started the first-round game against Tsuruga Kehi but lost after allowing 7 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings. He made his league debut in the spring of his second year at Asia University. 189 cm, 93 kg. Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter.