Keio University Baseball Team Pre-Season Interview: Ace Pitchers and Star Outfielder Share Fall Ambitions

Kazutoro Watanabe Targets Stamina and Tactical Depth

Pitcher Kazutoro Watanabe reflected on his workload during the spring campaign, noting that while he consistently started and pitched deep into games, maintaining endurance remains a primary objective. “登板した試合でほとんど先発して、全部で試合を作れたと思うので良かったです,” Watanabe said, pointing out that stamina and expanding his repertoire of breaking pitches are his main areas for improvement.

To manage the pressure, he focused on executing pitches cleanly into the catcher's mitt rather than internalizing the stress of the moment.

Kosei Hiroike Focuses on Body Composition and Pitch Metrics

Pitcher Kosei Hiroike entered the summer training block aiming to rebuild his physical condition after dropping weight during the rigorous spring schedule and national camp. Hiroike utilized a training regimen in Hokkaido that prioritized nutrition, prioritized sleep quality through sensory deprivation tools like eye masks and earplugs, and increased both the intensity and frequency of his weightlifting sessions.

On the mound, Hiroike identified pitch management as his key technical focus heading into the autumn fixtures. While his primary performance metrics ranked near the top of the league, he noted a tendency to surrender hard-hit fly balls rather than inducing weak grounders. Alongside his athletic development, Hiroike has actively shared pitching analysis on social media, a project he uses to study the broader marketing and operational trajectory of student baseball while maintaining personal accountability.

Minato Maruta Aims for Expanded Base-Running Impact

Outfielder Minato Maruta secured his role as a regular starter during the spring campaign, contributing directly to Keio’s title run. Entering the autumn season, Maruta concentrated heavily on increasing his stolen base totals during practice matches, reasoning that a leadoff presence must generate more disruptive movement on the basepaths.

Tokyo japan outfielder minato maruta of samurai japan u grounds out in the inning

Addressing his personal targets for the upcoming months, Maruta set explicit statistical benchmarks for the autumn slate. "個人としての目標は具体的なところで３割10盗塁できれば良いですね," Maruta said, emphasizing his goal to record a .300 batting average and steal 10 bases while guiding Keio toward a national championship.

Autumn Schedule and Championship Aspirations

With the spring league title secured, the Keio roster enters the autumn fixtures carrying both the confidence of a championship pedigree and the urgency of a senior class playing its final collegiate season. Watanabe, Hiroike, and Maruta each underscored that individual statistics remain secondary to capturing the national title that eluded them in the spring.