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

Kai catcher Watanabe (22) from Aoyama Gakuin University, who won negotiation rights after Rakuten Eagles won the first pick in the draft with Chunichi, and Yasunari Suzuki pitcher (22), who also won negotiation rights after Softbank Hawks also competed with Lotte, set future goals for a battery "reunion" at Samurai Japan. Additionally, Watanabe vowed to win the Best Nine, and Yasushi Suzuki vowed to win the title for most wins.

Watabe was deeply moved. After a competition between the Rakuten Eagles and Chunichi, the Rakuten Eagles won the negotiating rights. Immediately after the selection of the roster players concluded, Manager Yoshii and GM Ishii visited the Aoyama campus in Tokyo to give their post-draft greetings. They offered words of expectation and shared a firm handshake. Watabe straightened his posture and said, "I am honestly happy. I have a strong desire to quickly secure a regular spot and play in games."

The number one college catcher with a strong arm and powerful hitting. He achieved a national championship in his second summer at Chiben Wakayama and has the experience of winning four national titles at Aoyama Gakuin University. He is a 'winner' with excellent leadership qualities. Manager Yoshii, a former pitcher, expressed high expectations, saying, 'He is the kind of catcher I like and a player I would want to form a battery with. I want him to become a core member of the team.' Since the Rakuten Eagles' main catcher Ota has acquired domestic free agency rights and the heavy-hitting Yasuda is increasingly being used at first base, there are many opportunities. He enthusiastically stated, 'I want to play from my first year. I will do my best as a catcher who can win.'

He is also looking forward to fighting alongside his 'comrade' once again. Both he and ace right-hander Yasunori Suzuki were selected as first-round picks by multiple teams, forming a battery together. Aoyama Gakuin University has become the first in history to produce multiple first-round draft picks for four consecutive years. The relationship with the person he has worked so hard with will not end here. 'I am looking forward to facing Suzuki, and I also want to form a battery with him again on the national team.' He envisions forming a battery for Samurai Japan after achieving success with the Rakuten Eagles.

Winning the Best Nine and Golden Glove awards is also a goal. 'First, I want to appeal with my defense, and then show my power hitting.' Even in this new world, he will reign as the cornerstone of the team, leading them to a win. (Kota Miyauchi)

Rakuten Eagles GM Ishii won the lottery for Aoyama Gakuin University's Watanabe after a two-team competition. He successfully acquired a ready-to-play catcher, which was a key reinforcement point. He expressed his joy in his signature 'Ishii style,' saying, 'Since we have a connection now, the team will support him so he can become a top-tier player. This was the second most nervous I've been in my life. I'll be heading out for the draft greeting in about 20 minutes, so I look forward to it.'