Fuji Television’s “Suporuto!” launched its 16th annual “Top 100 NPB Players” rankings on November 8, a year-end feature now airing immediately after the Japan Series and featuring the first-ever collaboration merchandise with all 12 professional baseball teams, Mynavi News reported.
The long-standing poll, which polls 100 active Nippon Professional Baseball players to determine the undisputed No. 1 in five key categories—fastball, breaking ball, batting, defense, and baserunning—has become a staple for fans seeking insights beyond traditional statistics.
Top-Ranked Pitcher Shatters Expectations
This year’s results, as reported by the program’s general director, Kakinohara Yosuke, once again revealed talent that defies conventional metrics. The No. 1 ranked “fastball” for the 2025 season was awarded to Yamasita Shunpeita of the Orix Buffaloes, a pitcher who appeared in only four games all year.
“This year, he only pitched in four games,” Kakinohara said, reflecting on the selection. “In the past, the winners were usually pitchers who threw consistently throughout the season, so this was surprising.”
The decision, Kakinohara explained, was not based on velocity or win-loss records but on the innate quality of the pitch itself. It highlighted a core principle of the poll: the ability of professionals to recognize elite skill in a single moment.
“Pros notice a slight sense of unease in an instant,” Kakinohara stated. “Even from just one pitch in the batter’s box, you can tell, ‘This guy is different.’ That, I believe, is something only a pro can do.”
A Two-Week Process to Select the 100 Voters
The integrity of the poll is built on a meticulous and time-consuming selection process for the 100 players who participate. According to Kakinohara, the process of choosing these voters takes about two weeks of careful deliberation.
“We don’t just gather famous players,” he said. “We aim for a balanced representation from catchers, pitchers, infielders, and outfielders. We consider who has faced the widest variety of opponents over the season.”
The core group consists of everyday starters and starting pitchers, but the production team also seeks diverse perspectives. “We ask ourselves, ‘Who is the most suitable for this?’” Kakinohara noted. “That process alone takes us about two weeks of going back and forth.”
Early Broadcast and the Power of Trust
To ensure the rankings reflect the most current player performances, this year’s broadcast was moved up to November, about a month earlier than usual. Preparation for the poll begins in the summer, with the production team coordinating with all 12 teams to conduct interviews, primarily during the latter half of the season.
“The purpose is to have the players choose the No. 1 for this year,” Kakinohara explained of the timing. “If we ask too early, the essence of the poll is lost.” He added that the teams' cooperation reflects a long-standing relationship. “I feel that because it’s a Fuji Television sports program, the teams are willing to cooperate.”
This trust is rooted in the network’s history with baseball. Fuji’s legacy, from the days of the “Pro Yakyuu News” program, has been to cover all 12 teams with equal dedication, focusing on making the unseen visible. This philosophy, Kakinohara said, is the spirit that lives on in the “Top 100 NPB Players” poll.
Commemorative Goods Celebrate the Poll Milestone
In another first for the 16th edition, the poll is being paired with a line of commemorative collaboration goods. The items, including a towel featuring the portraits of players from all 12 teams, were designed to enhance fan engagement and celebrate the poll’s milestone.
The poll’s enduring appeal, Kakinohara believes, comes from the authenticity of its source. The players, from rookies to veterans, take the survey with utmost seriousness, providing insights that only peers can offer.
“It’s truly gratifying when they give us serious, professional, gut-level feelings,” Kakinohara said. “It’s a poll created in a relationship of trust with each team, and I think it gives viewers the confidence that if they watch this, they will get the core information.”
What Is the Top 100 NPB Players Poll?
- What is the “Top 100 NPB Players” poll?
- It is an annual feature on Fuji Television’s “Suporuto!” program where 100 active Nippon Professional Baseball players vote for the No. 1 player in five categories: fastball, breaking ball, batting, defense, and baserunning.
- Why was the pitcher with only four starts ranked No. 1?
- The voting is based on the perceived quality of the pitch itself, not on traditional statistics like wins or appearances. Players recognize a unique skill level that transcends numbers.
- How are the 100 players selected to participate?
- The production team carefully selects a balanced group of players from all positions, ensuring they have faced a wide variety of opponents throughout the season. This selection process takes about two weeks.
Worth a look
