2026 Draft News
Meiji University, a member of the Tokyo Six Universities Baseball Federation, practices at the same school’s ground in Fuchu City, Tokyo, and is listed as a top candidate for this fall’s draft.Nanato SakakibaraThe outfielder (3rd year, Hotoku Gakuen) was also sweating. His quick feet (50m, 5.99m) and strong shoulder (115m) have attracted attention, and he says his goal is to be drafted No. 1, and he will take on Hanshin’s Koji Chikamoto, a star from his hometown, as his ideal image in his final year.
Aiming for the coveted Koji Chikamoto whose “playing style matches”
Last year, Meiji University hit four home runs in the spring and three in the fall, bringing the total to nine home runs in the league.Nanato SakakibaraAmong the players, the one who mentioned his dream of becoming a player in the future was Hanshin’s leadoff man, Koji Chikamoto. Both are from Hyogo Prefecture, and are both left-handed center fielders who contribute to the team’s championship as the steady No. 1 center fielder. “He can produce a lot of hits in one game. He’s also good at giving up (Daily Sports),” he said, having watched him play since high school.
To that end, his goal this year is to “increase his on-base percentage.” During his off-season, he increased the amount he transferred and increased his weight from 74 kg to 77 kg through food training. He aims to reach 79 kg by the time he enters camp, and aims to evolve into a leadoff man who can produce hits with powerful batting.
To give back to my older brother who supported me, “Continue as a professional for a long time”
Behind his strong desire to become a pro is his gratitude to his older brother. His older brother, who is three years older than him, played for the local All-Harima Baseball Team in Hyogo Prefecture, so he started playing baseball there among the junior high school students, and continued to grow by following his older brother. After that, his older brother retired from baseball and is now working at a company, but he continues to support him by offering advice over the phone about baseball. To his brother, he says, “I want to be drafted No. 1. Continuing to play professional baseball for a long time will be my way of repaying the favor.” (Daily Sports)
Sakakibara, whose hobby is “touring around sweets” and whose favorite food is pudding, has more home runs than Chikamoto, and if he becomes the No. 1 center leadoff man who hits 20 home runs, he will become a highly valued player in the WBC and elsewhere. I would like to pay attention to Sakakibara this year.
Nanato Sakakibara Profile
- full name: Nanato Sakakibara (Sakakibara Nanato)
- Affiliation: Meiji University (3rd year)
- Birthplace: Takasago City, Hyogo Prefecture (graduated from Hotoku Gakuen High School)
- position: Outfielder (center fielder)
- Throwing: Left-handed pitching
- Height/weight: 173cm、77kg
- Main features and achievements: Boasting his physical ability, he can throw a 50m in 5 seconds and a distance of 115m. Experienced in Samurai Japan University National Team. The goal is to be drafted first.
2026-College outfielder draft candidates and everyone’s evaluation
We will introduce evaluations of draft candidates, videos, and everyone’s comments.
Top candidates for this fall’s draft: Meiji University’s Sakakibara and Hanshin’s Chikamoto: “Our playing styles often overlap” Ideal image is a local star/Daily Sports online
Meiji University outfielder Nanato Sakakibara (3rd year, Hotoku Gakuen), a top candidate in this fall’s draft and a member of the Tokyo Six Universities Baseball League, practiced at the school’s ground in Fuchu, Tokyo, on the 4th. He aims to become the first draft pick to become a pro, and to match his idol Koji Chikamoto of Hanshin. “The player I want to be in the future is Chikamoto.With my running, attacking, and defending (…
