Akihiko Oya, who appeared on "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 11th, commented on Seibu Lions' catcher situation.

Seibu Lions In the game against Hiroshima on the 11th, catcher, Yuto Koga batted cleanup (DH), and Taiga Kojima batted fifth (catcher), starting line-up.Koga finished with a 3-At Bat 0-hit performance, but in his second at-bat in the fourth inning with the score 0-1 and no outs with runners on first and second, he hit a solid sacrifice bunt to advance runner, setting the stage for Kojima’s subsequent two-run RBI single. Kojima, in turn, contributed to win with a 2-hit 2-RBI performance that included an RBI single.

Although he hasn't reached the required number of plate appearances, Koga has a batting average of .337, Home Run, 16 RBI, and a batting average of .391 with runners in scoring position. Kojima, on the other hand, has a batting average of .279, 2 Home Run, and 8 RBI, showing his presence not only in defense but also with his bat.

Oya predicted, "Koga will be batting fourth as the designated hitter. Kojima will come up to bat, and he's also a very good hitter. I think it will be a competition between the two of them."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"