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

Kansai University pitcher Yuto Yonezawa (4th year, Kanazawa) was selected as the first-round pick by Lotte. Lotte acquired the negotiating rights on their third bid.

Yonezawa is a left-handed pitcher who boasts a maximum speed of 149 km/h, and his overall ability as a pitcher is among the best of his generation. At Kansai University, he began pitching in the fall of his first year, but he injured his elbow and shoulder in the summer of his second year and did not pitch for about a year. He made a comeback from that point, earning his first league win with a near-perfect game against Kwansei Gakuin University this spring, and was named MVP with four wins. In the All Japan University Baseball Championship this June, he led the team to its first victory in 54 years as the ace, making his name known nationwide.

The person he admires is Chunichi pitcher Yumeto Kanamaru, who is two years his senior. They stay in touch, and he received a congratulatory message when they won the university championship. Having inherited the number 21 and learned firsthand how an ace should conduct himself, the left-hander will now take a further leap forward on the same stage as his great senior.

Yuto Yonezawa. Born June 1, 2004, in Suzu City, Ishikawa. 22 years old. Started playing baseball as an outfielder in the second grade of elementary school. Switched to pitcher in earnest at Midorigaoka Junior High School's rubber-ball baseball club. Joined the bench at Kanazawa in the fall of his first year. Lost to Komatsu Otani in the finals in the summer of his second year. Served as the ace from the fall of his second year and was eliminated in the third round in the summer of his third year. 180 cm, 80 kg. Left-handed pitcher and left-handed hitter.