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. Watching the broadcast at the university's Senriyama Campus in Suita City, Osaka, a sense of tension still lingered on his face the moment his name was called. It was only after a firm handshake with Manager Yoichi Oda that a smile finally broke through.

Although he was a 'third-choice' pick after others were taken, he is still a proud first-round selection. 'I am simply filled with feelings of joy. I have finally reached the starting line,' he said. Regarding his impression of Lotte, he remarked, 'They have the most passionate fans among the 12 teams, and their young players are very active.' His senior from Kansai University, Takano, is also on the team. 'I want to ask him many things,' he said, looking forward to having a reliable mentor.

The person he admires is Chunichi pitcher Yumeto Kanemaru, who is two years his senior. They stay in touch, and he received a congratulatory message when he won the All Japan University Baseball Championship in June. Having inherited number 21, he learned firsthand how an ace should behave. 'There was no specific contact right before the draft, but a week ago he told me "do your best" as usual.' Although they are in different leagues, he eagerly hopes to pitch against him on the professional stage, and when asked about a hitter he wants to face, he named Softbank Hawks' Kensuke Kondo as a 'hitter representing Japan.'

He said he had not eaten anything since that morning. Although he usually eats about two cups of rice per meal, his last meal was the yurinchi (deep-fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce) prepared the previous night by his junior by one year, pitcher Asuka Yurizawa. Released from the tension, he broke into a smile and said, "I want to eat some delicious yakiniku."

A left-handed pitcher boasting a maximum speed of 149 km/h, his overall ability as a pitcher is among the best of his generation. He began pitching at Kansai University in the fall of his freshman year, but suffered elbow and shoulder injuries in the summer of his sophomore year, leading to a period of about one year without pitching. He made a comeback from there, earning his first league win with a near-perfect game against Kwansei Gakuin University this spring, and was named MVP with 4 wins. In the University Championship in June, he led the team to its third title in 54 years as the ace, making his name known nationwide. He was also selected for the Samurai Japan Collegiate National Team. In the fall league, he had 1 win and 1 loss with an ERA of 2.97 across 7 games (including 1 relief appearance).

Yuto Yonezawa. Born June 1, 2004, in Suzu City, Ishikawa. 22 years old. Started baseball as an outfielder in the second grade of elementary school. Switched to pitcher in earnest in the rubber-ball baseball club at Midorigaoka Junior High School. 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 lost in the third round in the summer of his third year. His fastball reaches a maximum of 149 km/h, and his repertoire includes a slider, curveball, change-up, and splitter. 180 cm, 81 kg. Left-handed pitcher and left-handed batter.