Four senior players from the Meiji University hardball baseball team heard their names called during the Nippon Professional Baseball draft on October 22, extending the program’s run of consecutive draft picks to a historic 17 years. Naito Sakakibara went in the first round to the Hanshin Tigers, while Keigo Okada was selected in the second round by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Seiya Fukuhara joined the Tokyo Yakult Swallows as a third-round pick, and Hodaka Mitsuhiro rounded out the group with a fifth-round selection by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Draft Day at Liberty Tower and Seventeenth Consecutive Year
The announcement cemented a long-standing pipeline from the university’s Surugadai campus to the professional ranks. Department head Hiroshi Asaga, manager Toshimi Totsuka, and the entire roster of fourth-year players gathered on the 23rd floor of the Liberty Tower inside the Tatsuo Kishimoto Hall to watch the broadcast alongside reporters. Down on the first floor, a public viewing event drew roughly 130 students and staff members who erupted in celebration as the selections were announced.
The four picks push Meiji University’s active streak of consecutive draft selections to 17 years, marking the longest run in NPB draft history. In addition to the four active squad members, former Meiji player Shikai Chiba, a 2025 management graduate currently playing for the Honda hardball team, was selected in the sixth round by the Orix Buffaloes.
First-Round Pick Naito Sakakibara Joins Hanshin Tigers
As the top selection among the Meiji contingent, Sakakibara expressed relief and readiness after hearing the Hanshin Tigers call his name in the first round. The information communication major stated that he was honestly happy to receive the call and intended to use his running, fielding, and hitting abilities along with his clutch play to help his new club.
Manager Totsuka and his coaching staff joined the players for a press conference immediately following the broadcast. The gathered teammates shared smiles and photographs on the Liberty Tower floor before turning their attention toward individual professional preparations.
Okada and Mitsuhiro Secure Early Professional Bids
Okada secured a high-round position when the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles chose him in the second round. The commerce major noted that he felt overwhelmed with happiness regarding the high evaluation and told fans he wants them to watch his speed and powerful swing as he contributes to team victories.
Mitsuhiro heard his name called in the fifth round by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, an announcement that brought tears of joy from his surrounding classmates. The commerce major outlined his goals of providing sticky defense, reliable throws, and extra-base power while fighting for a regular shortstop position at the professional level.
Catcher Seiya Fukuhara Targets Starting Role with Yakult
Behind the plate, team captain Fukuhara admitted initial shock upon hearing his name called in the third round by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. The international liberal arts major explained that the initial surprise gradually turned into deep appreciation as he set his sights on developing the footwork necessary to eventually capture a starting catching job in the top tier.
The four seniors will now transition out of collegiate competition to prepare for autumn training camps and rookie reporting dates ahead of the upcoming professional season.
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