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

Keio University's ace left-handed pitcher Kazuhiro Watanabe (4th year, Takamatsusho) was selected in the third round by the Softbank Hawks. At the moment of his selection, he had temporarily left the venue and was unexpectedly absent, but the baseball club students erupted in loud cheers. He appeared after a short delay. Welcomed by thunderous applause and cheering, he said with a smile, 'I am extremely happy that my place on the professional baseball stage, which I have always admired, has been decided.'

Many Keio University alumni, including Tomoya Masaki, are members of the Softbank Hawks. When asked about his impression of the team, Watanabe smiled and said, "It is a team where many of my seniors from Keio are active, and it is the strongest team in the Pacific League." While he mentioned he does not have a specific player he admires, he stated, "I am very happy to be able to compete at such a high level." He declared his goal is "to become a pitcher who can be the leading winner from my first year." After the press conference, he wrote "Rookie of the Year" on a commemorative board for a photo session, and when asked by reporters if winning the Rookie of the Year was his goal, he answered firmly, "Yes."

Watanabe is one of the best left-handed pitchers in the university baseball world, handling a fastball with a maximum speed of 151 km/h, a slider, and a change-up. In the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, he earned the best ERA title with a 1.17 ERA in the fall of his second year. In this spring's league games, he achieved a 7-2 record with a 1.28 ERA, winning the Best Nine award and his second best ERA title. In the All Japan University Baseball Championship semifinals, he recorded 8 consecutive strike outs, tying the tournament record, and was selected for the university Japan national team for the World College Baseball Championship (WCBC) in July this year. Softbank Hawks scout Shogo Yamamoto evaluated Watanabe, saying, 'He is this year's number one university left-hander. He produces many swings and misses with his 151 km/h maximum speed fastball, a slider that disappears at the hitter's hands, and a change-up. When he is at his best, he racks up outs at such a high pace that he is untouchable.'

He suffered an accident during the Meiji University game on the 19th, where he complained of shoulder discomfort and was forced to leave the mound after only 17 pitches. However, the injury is reportedly minor, and he said, 'The doctor told me I would be able to pitch in the Waseda-Keio series (November 7th), so I am rehabilitating with that as my goal. However, since rushing back could lead to a major injury, I will be very careful while adjusting for the Waseda-Keio series. I want to achieve both the league championship and become the best in Japan this autumn,' he added with determination.

Kazuhiro Watanabe. Born May 28, 2004, in Kagawa Prefecture. 22 years old. At Takamatsu Commercial High School, he was teammates with Shogo Asano (currently with The Giants) and reached the quarter-finals at Koshien in the summer of his third year. At Keio University, he began pitching in league games starting in the fall of his freshman year. 180 cm, 75 kg. Left-handed pitcher and batter.