On the CS Fuji TV ONE broadcast of 'Professional Baseball News 2026' on the 22nd, the commentary team looked back on the 'Professional Baseball Draft Conference supported by Lipovitan D' held that day. The program zoomed in on the Orix Buffaloes' draft. Commentator Shohei Tateyama commented, 'Both the first and second-round picks are outstanding pitchers. They have the kind of stuff that will definitely put them in the rotation. Futo Kakuta's command of his fastball and slider is perfect, and he can throw firmly to the inside; I think he will become a pitcher who represents the baseball world.' Additionally, program MC Hiroki Nomura reflected on the Orix Buffaloes' draft, saying, 'I think the Orix Buffaloes' draft last year was all high schoolers, but this year they clearly have a strategic approach by selecting college players in the first and second rounds who are ready for immediate action...'

Similarly, Yutaka Takagi, who appeared as a commentator, said, "The Orix Buffaloes are overwhelmingly short on pitchers." He continued regarding the second-round pick Shin Nakai, "When Shimonoseki Kokusai finished as runners-up at Koshien, he was a short stop. He was doing some relief work back then, but he started working as a pitcher in earnest after entering university. If he can reduce the number of stray pitches and get a better grip on the ball, his velocity will increase even more; he is a player with great future potential," he added with high expectations.

Furthermore, when Tateyama was asked about the Orix Buffaloes' draft score, he evaluated it saying, "I'd give it 90 points because there was a bias toward selecting pitchers... You never know if injuries might occur among the fielders."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"