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

Hiroto Kawajiri (21), a pitcher from Asia University who was selected as the first-round pick by the Seibu Lions, set a goal to become the best pitcher in Japan.

A powerful arm boasting a rising fastball that reaches a top speed of 158 km/h. Manager Nishiguchi, who left the draft venue midway to visit the university in Musashino, Tokyo, offered high praise, stating, 'He has great scale and is this year's number one hard-throwing pitcher. That is what drew me to him.' Kawajiri also pledged, 'At first, I intend to aim for a starting role. Depending on the team situation, I think there may be times when I move to a reliever or closer role, but I will simply do whatever job I am assigned. I want to contribute as a key player by performing in a way that meets expectations.'

In the Toto University League, he pitched in a total of 23 games, recording 6 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 2.19. In the game against Kokugakuin University on the 13th, he achieved the 12th no hitter in league history—the first 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. With the possibility of the team's starting rotation mainstays, right-handers Takahashi and Taira, challenging the MLB this offseason, and opening day pitcher Watanabe undergoing right elbow surgery, reinforcing the roster with an immediate-impact right-handed pitcher had become an urgent matter, but now a reliable right-hander has joined the ranks.