Samurai Japan, participating in the 'Lexus Asia Professional baseball Championship 2026' (12th-15th at Tokyo Dome), started their Miyazaki training camp on the 3rd. Manager Tadahito Iguchi (51) discussed the batting order and designated Lotte outfielder Koki Yamaguchi (26), who was called up as an overage (OA) player, as the number four hitter. He is expected to follow a growth curve toward becoming Samurai Japan's main slugger, much like DeNA's Maki, who was entrusted with a central role as a fielder in the 2023 tournament.

Yamaguchi's heart trembled with excitement. During extra batting practice, Manager Iguchi spoke to him. 'I was told I'd be the number four hitter. I feel like I'm ready to go out there and do it,' he said. There was no way he wouldn't feel motivated after being directly assigned such a major role by the commander. He poured even more strength into his grip on the bat as he continued his swings.

In his eighth season this year, he appeared in 113 games and recorded a career-high 38 Home Runs and 81 RBI. His talent has fully blossomed, earning him a spot on the Samurai Japan roster as an overage player. After the first day of training camp, the manager stated, "Basically, Yamaguchi will be the number four hitter." The "prized pupil," who played for four years under Manager Iguchi (who served as the Lotte manager from 2018 to 2022), will now serve as the core of the national team.

A bright path will reveal itself once the heavy responsibility is fulfilled. In the 2017 tournament, Yamakawa (Softbank Hawks) was entrusted with the cleanup spot, and in the previous 2023 tournament, Maki (DeNA)—the only member with WBC experience—took on the role. Maki led the team as a central player during that tournament, establishing his position as a mainstay of the national team, and went on to excel in the Premier 12 and the WBC. Yamaguchi aims to follow in the footsteps of these successful predecessors.

Manager Iguchi expressed high expectations, saying, 'He has the ability to become a mainstay of the top team. I want him to be included in the Premier 12 roster.' Since the Premier 12, which also serves as a qualifier for the Los Angeles Olympics, is certain to be played without Major Leaguers due to scheduling, Yamaguchi's presence is significant. The new cleanup hitter shares the same sentiment as his manager. 'I want to make a strong impression this time and work hard to be selected for the Premier 12.' He is steadily walking the path toward becoming the main slugger for Samurai Japan.

During free batting practice, he hit 6 home runs out of 31 swings, including an estimated 130-meter blast to left-center field. He showed off his good form while the manager watched intently from directly behind him. 'There was a lot of pressure from behind,' he said with a laugh. In a short series, the power to decide the game with extra-base hits is essential. 'My home runs are the kind where people ask, "That went out?" I want to drive a low line drive into the Tokyo Dome,' he said, predicting a 'fourth-batter blast.' The awakened slugger will carve out a new era with overwhelming power. (Kota Miyauchi)

The Samurai number four hitter in the Asia Professional baseball Championship: In the 2017 tournament, Yamakawa appeared as the number four hitter in every game. He performed well, including hitting a solo home run in the opening game against South Korea. In the 2023 tournament, Maki, who was also selected as a WBC member, was used as the number four hitter in three out of four games. In the final against South Korea, he hit a solo home run in the fifth inning while trailing by two runs. He launched a counterattacking shot that led to a comeback win and contributed significantly to the championship victory.