From November 12 (Thu) to 15 (Sun), the "Luxas Asia Professional baseball Championship 2026" will be held at Tokyo Dome. Under the new manager Tadahito Iguchi, who has experience managing Chiba Lotte Marines, 28 young warriors with both potential and proven records have gathered. This time, we introduce 5 pitcher from the Pacific League.

★Click here for the fielder Edition

Natsuki Takeuchi pitcher (Saitama Seibu Lions)
number: 16
Major International Tournament History: 44th USA-Japan Collegiate Championship (2023)

pitcher Takeuchi is the only left-hander selected from the Pacific League. In his rookie year of 2024, he recorded an excellent performance with 10 wins, 6 losses, and a 2.17 ERA, winning the Rookie of the Year award. This season, having cleared the required innings pitched for the first time in two years, he secured a spot in the powerful starting rotation by achieving a career-high 11 wins.

In the retirement game for Takumi Kuriyama held on August 30, he pitched well, allowing 1 runs in 8 innings. Although this is his first international tournament stage since turning professional, we look forward to the clutch performance he has shown in critical moments during this tournament as well.

Gota Suzuki pitcher (Fukuoka Softbank)
number：26
Major international tournament history：First selection for the national team

Joined Fukuoka Softbank this season as the 3rd draft pick from Osaka University of Commerce. Armed with a rising fastball delivered from a sidearm motion, he appeared in 40 games and recorded an impressive ERA of 1.74. His good tempo and strong heart, which remains unfazed even in tight spots, can be said to be well-suited for international tournaments.

He showed his true value during the post season. In the first game of the "Persol CS Pa" Final Stage, he successfully put out the fire starting from two outs and bases loaded in the top of the 3rd inning. Continuing into the top of the 4th, he retired three batters in order with just 9 pitches, leading the team to a comeback win. He was also entrusted with important situations in the "SMBC Japan Series 2026," responding to the call with scoreless pitch performances in all 3 games and 0 runs.

Ryu Kutani pitcher (Tohoku Rakuten Eagles)
number：45
Major international tournament appearances: First selection to the national team

Last year, pitcher Kutani led his team to victory in the 96th Intercity baseball Tournament and MVP performance, joining Tohoku Rakuten Eagles as the 6th pick in the draft from Oji. Even after turning professional, he showcased his skills by recording 44 strike out, surpassing inning by using his top speed fastball of 154 km/h and his trademark change-up.

Right after the season started, he pitched in a series of games trailing, but from April 1, he recorded 10 consecutive runs games, and on June 12 against Hiroshima, he recorded his first professional hold. He continued to be part of his winning streak, posting 39 games with a 2-1 record, 16 hold, and a ERA 1.94 ERA.

Hibiki Shinohara pitcher (Saitama Seibu Lions)
number: 52
Major International Tournament History: Raxus Samurai Japan Series 2026 Miyazaki

Last season, despite being in his first year out of high school, Shinohara experienced the first-team stage, and during the off-season, he was selected as a support member for the "Raxus Samurai Japan Series 2026 Miyazaki." With high expectations for his future, he supported the team's rapid progress as a set-up man in this, his second season.

After making the first-team roster from the season opener, he recorded his first professional hold in his first appearance of the season on March 31 against the Orix Buffaloes. He steadily accumulated holds with stable pitching, and on September 27 against the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, he became the second player in NPB history to reach 30 holds in a season in his second year out of high school. Having achieved a feat not seen since pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, attention will surely be focused on his pitching in international tournaments.

Shunsuke Nakamori pitcher (Chiba Lotte Marines)
number: 56
Major international tournament history: First selection for the national team

Last season, pitcher Nakamori showed a strong presence as a reliever, including being selected for the "Mynavi All-Star Game 2025." In this, his 6th professional season, he supported the bullpen throughout the year, recording career-high figures in 42 games, 7 wins, and 19 holds. Among the pitching staff, he and pitcher Hiroto Takahashi have the longest professional careers at 6 years. He aims to have a positive impact on the team with his wealth of experience.