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

Nippon-Ham made a solo first-round selection of Yamanashi Gakuin's two-way player, pitcher Haruki Komoda (17). Komoda, who has set current Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (32) as his goal, expressed his mutual desire by saying, "I wanted to go to Nippon-Ham." The rising star, who boasts a maximum speed of 152 km/h and 39 career high school home runs, will start his professional career in the northern land, just like Ohtani.

He firmly suppressed his overflowing emotions like a closer. Even as applause erupted from about 50 teammates, his parents, and over 100 members of the press gathered at the school in Kofu City, Yamanashi, after his selection as Nippon-Ham's sole first-round pick was finalized, Komoda did not change his expression. 'I was thinking about what kind of face I should make if I was called... Ideally, a slight smile would have been best, but I couldn't really do it, so I think this was better than making a strange face.' In truth, he was happy. It was a mutual desire, as he said, 'I wanted to go to Nippon-Ham.' After the press conference, a smile finally broke through when he was surrounded by his friends from the baseball club.

He has stepped onto the path he longed for, the track he had envisioned. A two-way player with a maximum speed of 152 km/h and 39 high school career Home Run. Although he had the option to focus on either pitching or hitting, his disappointment at being left out of the U-18 Japan National Team announced in August led him to decide to aim for the professional stage as a two-way player. Naturally, the one he was conscious of was Otani. "He is a player I look up to as a fellow two-way player. The reason I feel I can pursue being a two-way player is because Shohei Otani exists. In terms of challenging myself as a two-way player, I believe Nippon-Ham is the best fit for me. I think it is where I can grow the most." He had been eagerly waiting to be selected by Nippon-Ham, the team from which Otani took flight.

His goals are to reach '160 kilometers' as a pitcher and 'to hit a home run' as a hitter. Furthermore, he wants to shed the title of 'the second Shohei Ohtani.' He stated, 'I believe this is my baseball life as Haruki Komoda, not as the second Ohtani.' He understands that this is not an easy path that can be surpassed quickly. While showing a modest side by saying, 'I think it would be good if I could make it to the first team in about four to five years,' he also held his head high, saying, 'I don't think I'm losing in terms of physique or height. I want to get closer to him little by little.' His blessed physique of 195 centimeters, which exceeds the 193-centimeter Ohtani, is a mass of dreams and hope.

Yamanashi Gakuin manager Koji Yoshida (57) entrusted his dream to his prized pupil, saying, "It is just my own wild imagination, but I hope he can perform like Ohtani does in Japan—starting in the starting line-up as the DH and then taking the mound with his glove in the final stages of the game." Komoda also remarked, "I want to face Shohei Ohtani someday." A future awaits where he charges down the Ohtani road and builds a new legend. (Kota Ando)