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

Shotaro Okamoto (3rd year), the star pitcher of public school Korioka in Osaka, was selected in the 5th round by Nippon-Ham.

At the school in Hirakata City, he watched the outcome of his fate alongside his teammates. The right-hander, who boasts a maximum speed of 148 km/h, looked up at the ceiling the moment he was selected, wiped away tears with his left hand, and hugged manager Takuya Kawamoto. As the 48 gathered baseball club members cheered 'Amazing!' and gave him a loud round of applause, he savored the joy once again. 'I am truly filled with a sense of relief,' said the 18-year-old with moist eyes. Becoming the school's first professional baseball player, he spoke with conviction: 'One dream came true with today's selection, but I don't think this is the goal; it's the starting line. I want to go and fulfill my other dream of becoming a professional baseball player and succeeding.'

After entering Korigaoka, Okamoto wore the ace number starting from the summer of his first year. In the third round of this summer's Osaka Championship Tournament, he struck out 11 batters, recording a strike out in every inning against the Kansai University Hokuyo lineup, which had defeated Osaka Toin in the spring prefectural semifinals. Utilizing sharp fastballs and various breaking balls, he pitched through 8 innings, allowing 7 hits and 3 runs. Although they lost 1-3, his dignified pitching style delivered from a supple pitch form caught the eye of the Nippon-Ham scouts. After being tossed in the air by his teammates and celebrated on their shoulders, his smile finally returned. He stated clearly, 'First, I want to focus on building my body, and my goal is to win the title for most wins.'

He became the 15th player from an Osaka public high school to be drafted since Itsuki Murabayashi (Otsuka, infielder), who was selected 7th by the Rakuten Eagles in 2015. For a pitcher, he is the 12th player in 22 years since Nobuaki Mizuochi (Shinoda), who was selected in the 10th round by the Hanshin Tigers in 2004.