2026 Draft News
The powerful Urawa Gakuin High School (Saitama), which made it to the top eight at the Autumn Kanto Tournament, held its final practice of the year at Kamiya General Park in Konosu City, Saitama Prefecture. A large, strong-shouldered catcher who is attracting attention as a draft candidate next year after practice.Ao NaitoA player (2nd year) has announced his desire to become a professional player. With his chances of participating in next spring’s Senbatsu in doubt, he enters the winter of competition, vowing to make great strides for both his team and himself.
A strong-armed catcher’s determination to become a player who can win
Ao NaitoThe player is a large catcher at 181 cm and 85 kg, and is a catcher that attracts the attention of professional scouts with his strong shoulders and long throws of 110 m. On this day, after finishing his last activities of the year, he announced that he hopes to turn professional next year.
Urawa Gakuin lost in the quarterfinals of the Kanto tournament this fall and only finished in the top 8. He is in a uncertain position whether he will be selected to participate in next spring’s Senbatsu tournament. Naito said, “I want both the team and myself to be able to win next year (Sports Nippon),” expressing his strong desire to become a catcher who can help the team win.
Director Mori Dai: “We ended it in a good way”
On the final day of the day, Urawa Gakuin held three matches against Red and White, and they concluded the year by getting a feel for the actual competition. Coach Morihiro summed up the year by saying, “It was a difficult and difficult year, but we were able to end it in a good way (Sports Nippon).”He and his players also turned their attention to next year, with the aim of reviving the prestigious team and becoming number one in Japan, which is our long-cherished desire.
From Urawa Gakuin last year,Kento FujiiThe player was drafted in sixth place by the Giants and became a professional baseball player.Yuanai Lingplayer,Takaaki TamakiThe team boasted overwhelming batting power in Saitama Prefecture, with a lineup of sluggers such as players, but they did not make it to Koshien.
Next year, we will see if they can once again organize a strong hitting game centered around this professional catcher, Naito, and we also want an ace to play a central role. While waiting for the good news in spring to see what kind of players will come out during winter training, we will work to improve the level of each individual.
Ao Naito Profile
- full name: So Naito
- Affiliation: Urawa Gakuin High School (2nd year)
- position: catcher
- Throwing: Right pitch, right hit
- Height/weight: 181cm85kg
- Main features and achievements: A professional catcher who boasts a strong shoulder and a long throw of 110 meters. Kanto tournament top 8 in fall of 2nd year. He hopes to become a professional after graduating from high school.
2026-High school catcher draft candidates and everyone’s evaluation
We will introduce evaluations of draft candidates, videos, and everyone’s comments.
Urawa Gakuin’s Naito declares his desire to become a professional “I want both my team and myself to be able to win next year” – Sponichi Sponichi Annex Baseball
Urawa Gakuin (Saitama), whose participation in the Autumn Kanto Tournament was limited to the top eight and their participation in next spring’s selection is in doubt, completed their last practice of the year on the 26th at Kamiya General Park in Konosu City, Saitama Prefecture.
