The 2026 New Player Selection Meeting "Professional baseball Draft Meeting supported by Lipovitan D" was held on October 22nd. Here are the profiles of the players selected by Fukuoka Softbank.

1st Pick: Taisei Suzuki, pitcher
Affiliation: Aoyama Gakuin University
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 187cm, 92kg

◇ Scout Comment
"An authentic right-hander who boasts one of the highest levels of completion in the college baseball world. His pitching form is extremely well-balanced, and he possesses the control to throw consistently. His fastball is usually around 148 km/h, with a max exceeding 150 km/h. He has high levels of velocity, power, and quality, and his control allows for solid corner work and pitch tunneling. His breaking balls mainly consist of curves, splitters, and forks. He uses a style of setting the count with curves and splitters and using the fork as his finishing pitch. We expect him to join the starting rotation from his first year as an immediate asset."

2nd Pick: Gaku Arima, pitcher
Affiliation: Ritsumeikan University
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
Height/Weight: 175cm, 80kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A left-hander with a max speed of 151 km/h. The strength of his fastball in particular, combined with his use of the two seam fastball and slider for pitch tunneling, is attractive. In last year's Meiji Jingu Tournament, he struck out 10 consecutive hitters, breaking a tournament record for the first time in 53 years. A future rotation candidate for the team."

3rd Pick: Kazuhiro Watanabe, pitcher
Affiliation: Keio University
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
Height/Weight: 180cm, 83kg

◇ Scout Comment
"The No. 1 college left-hander of the year. He generates many swings and misses with a max 151 km/h fastball, a slider that disappears at the hitter's hands, and a change-up. When he is on, he racks up outs at such a high pace that he is untouchable. Next, he will show his arm in Fukuoka."

4th Pick: Kojun Fujimori, outfielder
Affiliation: Hosei University
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 171cm, 73kg

◇ Scout Comment
"An average hitter with great contact ability and a good feel for the bat, nearing 100 hits in the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League."

5th Pick: Shunta Inomata, pitcher
Affiliation: Tohoku Fukushi University
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 185cm, 92kg

◇ Scout Comment
"An authentic right-hander whose weapons are a steep fastball and splitter thrown from a gifted 185cm, 92kg frame. With a powerful fastball reaching a max of 155 km/h and a wide variety of breaking balls, he has a high strike out rate and the ability to throw a complete game as an immediate asset."

6th Pick: Aoto Kotsubo, pitcher
Affiliation: Yanagawa High School
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
Height/Weight: 183cm, 86kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A talented left-hander with a gifted physique. He throws a fastball with a max of 147 km/h, and his weapons are a cutter and slider that break sharply at the hands of a right-handed hitter. He has high potential and attractive future prospects. While there are challenges in the precision of his breaking balls and stability of his control, he is a left-hander with the hidden potential to further increase his velocity and power depending on his physical growth and improvement in pitching technique."

7th Pick: Taiga Nakagawa, infielder
Affiliation: Shigakkan University
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 171cm, 68kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A short stop who boasts top-class speed even in the pros, having recorded 53 stolen bases in college. He has high contact ability and has also left a mark in hitting, winning the Best Hitter award with a .485 batting average in the 2025 Autumn League. A player with great future potential who can contribute to the team in offense, defense, and baserunning, using his overwhelming speed as his greatest weapon."

8th Pick: Ikki Fukami, pitcher
Affiliation: National Taiwan University of Sport
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 183cm, 85kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A 21-year-old starter-type right-hander. He is currently in the middle of his growth, having clocked a max of 151 km/h since this summer. Using his 183cm height and long limbs in a dynamic form, he handles various breaking balls and is someone who can anchor a part of the starting rotation in the future."

9th Pick: Genei Sato, pitcher
Affiliation: Pennsylvania State University
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 180cm, 88kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A top-class power pitcher of his generation boasting a max of 159 km/h. His power pitching, including the fork and slider, even overpowered the USA national team at last year's Japan-USA University Baseball Championship. He possesses the potential to aim for double-digit wins as a starter, and the power of his ball is undoubtedly strong enough to handle winning situations as a reliever from his first year. He dominates hitters with overwhelming pitching."

Development Draft 1st Pick: Ryosuke Niwa, pitcher
Affiliation: Municipal Wakayama High School
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 183cm, 77kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A right-hander with a max speed of 150 km/h. The strength of his fastball and his late-breaking slider are his main attractions. Having pitched in the Koshien tournament last year, he is a raw-talent pitcher with high expectations for growth."

Development Draft 2nd Pick: Hyuga Kanda, pitcher
Affiliation: Tsuruga Kehi High School
Throw/Hit: Left/Left
Height/Weight: 176cm, 80kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A high-potential, authentic left-hander who uses a powerful fastball reaching 146 km/h and a variety of breaking balls as his weapons. His greatest appeal is the quality of his fastball, which feels even more powerful than its actual speed, allowing him to get swings and misses right at the hitter's hands. He skillfully handles a sharp curveball, slider, change-up, and splitter, showing a wide range of pitching. Having gained experience on big stages like the Spring Senbatsu, he possesses both excellent pitching sense and fastball quality. A raw-talent left-hander expected to become a mainstay pitcher for the team."

Development Draft 3rd Pick: Koki Sugimoto, pitcher
Affiliation: KT Wiz
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 182cm, 90kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A 26-year-old skilled reliever who appeared in 73 games as a set-up man for KT in the Korean professional baseball league this season, winning the hold title with 25 holds. He pitched tough throughout the year and contributed significantly to the team's regular-season championship. His max 154 km/h fastball and cutter make him ready for immediate action. He will jump into the bullpen competition from his first year."

Development Draft 4th Pick: Shoki Tamoto, pitcher
Affiliation: Komazawa University
Throw/Hit: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 191cm, 97kg

◇ Scout Comment
"The power of his fastball coming from his 191cm height is attractive, and his fork is also a weapon. While still unpolished, he has high potential and is a raw-talent right-hander with great expectations for growth."

Development Draft 5th Pick: Yujiro Kameda, pitcher
Affiliation: Yamamura Gakuen High School
Throw/Hit: Left/Left
Height/Weight: 183cm, 95kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A raw-talent left-hander who skillfully handles a powerful max 145 km/h fastball and breaking balls. He has plenty of stamina for pitching and is a pitcher with the potential to become an interesting presence as he gains experience in actual games."

Development Draft 6th Pick: Eiji Kinoshita, pitcher
Affiliation: Takagawa Gakuen High School
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 178cm, 83kg

◇ Scout Comment
"An authentic right-hander who overwhelms hitters with a pitching style full of fighting spirit, centered on a max 147 km/h fastball and slider. Having experienced big stages since his underclassman years, the way he shifts gears in high-profile situations is remarkable. While overall technical improvement is essential, considering his high level of completion, he is a good pitcher with expectations for early success."

Development Draft 7th Pick: Taiga Tsujimura, outfielder
Affiliation: Tohoku Fukushi University
Throw/Hit: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 180cm, 80kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A left-handed hitter outfielder with a high level of overall balance in running, hitting, and defense, and an attractive ability to hit well in clutch situations."

Development Draft 8th Pick: Yuta Murayama, pitcher
Affiliation: Kansai University of International Studies
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 183cm, 80kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A right-hander with a max speed of 152 km/h. He is silently working on his challenges, aiming to return from a right shoulder injury sustained this year. Depending on his recovery, he is a pitcher with the hidden ability to become a future relief pitcher candidate for the team."

Development Draft 9th Pick: Musashi Nagayama, pitcher/infielder
Affiliation: Nihon Wellness High School Okinawa
Throw/Hit: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 180cm, 89kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A large-scale, raw-talent slugger. His greatest weapon and appeal is his ability to hit extra-base hits to all fields with a uniquely soft swing. He still has plenty of room to grow and an outstanding raw feel. While there are challenges in defense, his arm strength is also attractive, having reached a max of 147 km/h when pitching."

Development Draft 10th Pick: Fudai Nerei, infielder/outfielder
Affiliation: Fresno City College
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 173cm, 92kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A right-handed hitter slugger who embodies hitting theories soaked into his entire body. Though not large, he hits the ball hard with his trained physique and technique. A very exciting 18-year-old as a power-hitting second baseman. An attractive swing, a wild appearance, and a smart brain. Fans are sure to be drawn to that gap."

Development Draft 11th Pick: Toranosuke Kamiya, outfielder
Affiliation: Chiba Sky Sailors
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 182cm, 87kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A player with high physical ability in running, hitting, and defense, though still unpolished. A raw talent with great expectations for future growth, whom we hope to develop into a regular player."

Development Draft 12th Pick: Akira Tsurukawauchi, pitcher
Affiliation: Osaka University of Commerce
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 182cm, 78kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A right-hander with a max speed of 150 km/h. He is practicing silently, aiming to return from a right elbow injury sustained last year. Given his high physical ability, he is a pitcher with the potential for a major breakthrough."

Development Draft 13th Pick: Koki Matsubayashi, pitcher
Affiliation: Osaka University of Commerce
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 176cm, 88kg

◇ Scout Comment
"Although he was the second-string pitcher in high school, he clocked a max of 146 km/h at the Meiji Jingu Tournament. After entering university, he clocked 151 km/h in the spring league of his freshman year. His breaking ball control and spin rate are attractive, and he will be an exciting pitcher once his output returns."

Development Draft 14th Pick: Shugo Murakumo, catcher
Affiliation: Tsuruga Kehi High School
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 178cm, 76kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A raw-talent catcher whose appeal lies in his strong arm, boasting a throw to second in the 1.8-second range, and high physical ability. He excels in blocking and footwork, and has a high awareness as a catcher in terms of calling to the pitcher and leading the game. In hitting, he has contact ability, recording a .545 batting average in the Hokushinetsu Tournament last autumn. He also supported the team as the starting catcher at this summer's Koshien, contributing to a shutout game win and gaining experience on the big stage. A catcher whose future growth can be expected, using his strong arm and physical ability as weapons."

Development Draft 15th Pick: Mamoru Hirayama, catcher
Affiliation: Tochiku High School
Throw/Hit: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 174cm, 87kg

◇ Scout Comment
"A hitting catcher whose appeal is his offense. He has a strong arm and good throwing accuracy. In defense, there are still challenges in the stability of his catch and blocking, but he is a player with room to grow. In hitting, he has punch and can hit to all fields. A catcher with a knack for hitting and attractive power for extra-base hits."