Kendai Takasaki High School (Gunma) has a captain who is attracting attention as a draft candidate this year.Ishida YuseiIt has been revealed that the outfielder (2nd year) wants to go to university rather than turning pro after graduating from high school. Although he was regarded as the No. 1 outfielder with a combination of running, attacking, and defending, he said, “Being a pro is a one-shot deal,” and decided to build up his body at university before taking on the top stage.
One of the best outfielders of his generation “admits to university” through calm self-analysis
Ishida YuseiThe player entered Kendai Takasaki, and played in two games as a regular center fielder at Koshien that summer, even as a first-year player, and also recorded a hit. He also participated in the spring/summer Koshien last year, and was established as the number one center fielder as a leadoff man who took advantage of his quick feet and batting ability to make contact and wide-angle hits.He also began to show long-hitting ability, and his wide range of defense at the center was highly praised by professional scouts. A scout for a Pacific League team said, “I put him on the list for 26 years.”
At last fall’s draft meeting, seniorGenki IshigakiPitcher ranked 1st in Lotte,Ryugetsu SatoWhen the pitcher was drafted third by Orix, he was inspired by the pitcher, saying, “I thought he was a great player after all.It made me want to become a professional even more.”However, he calmly looked at his position and decided to go to university.
“Professionals only have one shot” – build up your body before taking on the challenge
That decision is based on concerns about his own body. “My body was easily injured, so even if I graduated from high school and had a chance to play professionally, I think there is a high possibility that I would suffer from injuries (Sponichi)”, he said, adding that he believes that he will not be able to grow physically to the point where he can play an active role even if he stands on the highest level baseball stage in Japan.
In addition, last fall, they lost in the quarterfinals of the prefectural tournament, which meant that they had no chance of participating in Koshien Koshien, which they had participated in three times since the summer of 2011. “I have participated in Koshien three times in a row since I joined the team, but I think it was the Koshien that my seniors took me to.In the fall, I couldn’t grasp it on my own, so I once again felt that Koshien is far away and something I admire.”Ishida says that he is acutely aware of his responsibility as captain.
Top high school fielder goes on to college
Last year also Yokohama High SchoolYota AbeAthletes (going on to Waseda University) and Takigawa High School studentsEita AraiHigh school players who were seen as likely to be drafted at the top of the draft, such as players (going on to Seigaku University), have chosen to go on to university or the workforce. The level of professional baseball has increased so much that it has become difficult for high school fielders to suddenly become active, but on the other hand, there are cases in which players who join the team as high schoolers are immediately signed into training contracts or are no longer in the playing field, and it appears that the trend is for players to improve their level in college or work and then turn professional.
Ishida also said, “Professional baseball is a one-shot game. I want to build up my body to avoid injury in college before taking on the challenge (Sport Nippon),” and he chose to build a strong body that would allow him to compete professionally over four years.
At the end of the year, they held a camp on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, and began efforts to participate in Koshien in the summer. He is also trying out for second base this winter and is playing as an infielder. A hard-hitting second baseman last year.Masahiro TateishiWith players being drafted first, hard-hitting second and third basemen have become a trend. I don’t know what the trends will be four years from now, but I think it’s good to expand your range of play.
It’s a shame that he won’t aspire to become a professional this year, but I hope he will become the number one draft pick after college, and I think he has a good chance of becoming a professional player.
Yusei Ishida Profile
- full name: Yusei Ishida
- Affiliation: Health and Welfare Otakasaki High School (2nd year)
- Birthplace: (No detailed data)
- position: Outfielder (center fielder), second baseman
- Throwing: (No detailed data)
- Main features and achievements: Participated in Koshien from the summer of 1st year, and was a member of the winning team of Senbatsu in the spring of 2nd year. One of the best outfielders of his generation, boasting quick feet and a wide range of defense. Captain from the new team.
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One of the best outfielders in high school has decided to go to college! High evaluation by scouts…Will talented high school students continue to go on to university in the 2026 draft? – Sponichi Annex Baseball
Kendai Takasaki (Gunma), which participated in last year’s Spring/Summer Koshien, held a practice session at their ground in Takasaki City on the 9th.