◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Softbank Hawks vs. Hiroshima (30th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks Hikaru Kimura pitcher (25) recorded his first win in his fourth professional year in the game against Hiroshima on the 30th (Mizuho PayPay). He pitched in the tied sixth inning and closer the first inning with a 1-hit runs. His teammates scored two runs on the next attack, and in his 38th career appearance, he received a commemorative pitch. Born in Nara and having attended Nara University and Bukkyo University, this season he tied the team's record with 20 appearances and a ERA of 1.40, continuing his strong pitching performance. A right-handed pitcher who rose through developmental training aims to win Rookie of the Year with the qualification.

He slapped his glove hard twice and let out a growl. Softbank Hawks Hikaru Kimura pitched in the 6th inning with a score of 2-2. He allowed a single to leadoff hitter Kikuchi, but with one out and a runner on first, he retired Fabian on a grounder to shortstop double play and closer runs. They created momentum, and with the next attack, our team scored two goals. Regarding his first professional win that came his way, he said, "I don't really feel it (laughs). But I did my job well," gripping the winning ball.

During the offseason, manager Kokubo expressed his expectations, saying, "Become the Daichi Ishii of Hanshin Tigers!" and on this day, he tied with Hernandez for the most appearances on the team with 20. He earned a professional contract in his rookie year in 2023, and his number of appearances has increased year by year from 5 in 2024 to 13. This season, he has already surpassed his own personal best. Even when he allows runner on base, he says, "I came into professional baseball thinking that I just had to closer runs," and ERA of 1.40.

His weapon is splitter. He reveals its strength is that "the release is the same as my other pitches." Because there isn't a big drop, it looks like a different pitch the moment it's thrown, which helps him get a lot of weak ground balls. At the start of the season, he personally spoke to Inagawa, the second-round draft pick, and taught him his prized pitch. He doesn't hesitate to give advice to his juniors, saying, "There are some things that can be reaffirmed."

His greatest way to refresh himself is through food. "I don't know when I'm going to die, so I want to eat what I like," he says, not restricting his appetite. During his trip to Hokkaido in April, he enjoyed Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) and sushi. He believes that filling his stomach will lead to more powerful pitch.

Having been registered as a professional player for less than five years and having pitched a total of 23 2/3 innings by 2025, he remains eligible for the Rookie of the Year award. Hikaru Kimura has contributed to the team's strong start in the interleague games with three consecutive scoreless runs, putting up a 4-1 record. "I believe that pitching well in high-pressure situations and getting results will lead to titles. I want to keep building on what's in front of me," he said, renewing his determination to win the Rookie of the Year award. He will be pitching at full capacity throughout the year. (Moriguchi Tokio)

◆Eligibility Criteria for Rookie of the Year: Players must have been registered as a professional player for the first time within the last five years, and their career statistics up to the previous year must include 60 or fewer plate appearances for fielder and 30 or fewer inning pitcher. The winner is selected by a vote of journalists from newspapers, news agencies, and broadcasting companies nationwide who have covered professional baseball for five years or more.

◇ Softbank Hawks 's Hikaru Kimura

▽Birth and Baseball Career Born July 2, 2000, in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture. Age 25. Started playing baseball in the first grade of elementary school, and as the ace pitcher, participated in Koshien in the summer of his third year at Nara University High School. complete game with only one runs allowed in the first round against Haguro High School, bringing the school its first win at Koshien. At Bukkyo University, he had a career record of 14 wins and 2 losses in the Keiji League. He was the runner-up in the university championship in his first year and reached the semi-finals in his fourth year. He joined Softbank Hawks in 2022 as the third pick in the developmental draft. Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter.

▽Live instruction from world-class Okamoto During his junior high school years, he played for Kashihara Shiki Senior, the same team that Okamoto of the Toronto Blue Jays played for. Just before joining The Giants, his idol showed him his batting skills in person and encouraged him with the words, "Do your best!"

▽Nicknames: Kimu, Hikapon "I used them for my Instagram count during high school."

▽Favorite food: Gyoza

▽Favorite music: Mrs. GREEN APPLE

▽Favorite celebrity: Muro Tsuyoshi

▽Local specialty: Miwa somen noodles, produced mainly in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture.

▽Size: 173 cm, 77 kg