It is time for my annual Dragons prospect list. This is largely instead of the draft write-ups I used to do to remind us of how players are developing and what kind of players exist in the organisation. I am sticking to the rookie limits as my guide to creating my list and I have tried to be more methodical this time. Once again, those limits are:
- Under 5-years of team control
- Up to 30 innings pitched OR up to 60 plate appearances
- No experience playing in foreign leagues.
There were 28 eligible players in the organisation ahead of 2025 and 20-24 I rated all pretty similarly but I've left my cut-off at 20. There are plenty that have graduated from this list or have left the organisation. Top prospects in 2024, Kenta Bright and Mikiya Tanaka both saw enough time in NPB to get them off this list, while players like Ryūshin Takeuchi, Taisei Ishimori and Shōta Fukushima were all released this off-season. This year's list is populated by 5/6 rostered draftees the Dragons took in the 2024 draft, while some movers and shakers have increased or decreased their stocks ahead of 2025. One of the biggest disappointments of 2024 was Ryūma Katō, who drops off this list as he converts to the outfield while Gōki Oda and Ren Kondō are the biggest movers upwards as they were unranked last year and this year enter the top 10.
As part of my ranking, I have considered three main factors. One, established floor. Two, possible ceiling and three, how close they are to impacting the first team. You will see younger players with possibly higher potential lower on this list. Kōnosuke Fukuda for example is a higher ceiling talent than Kondō, but given his age and developmental stage, he loses points on readiness to contribute and current floor. I have weighted "readiness to contribute" a little lower as someone who is just a toolsy utility type or a one-point reliever could be closer to making an impact in the first team but doesn't necessarily have a high floor or ceiling. I also almost immediately give older players or more experienced ones an okay floor rating unless they've shown a complete inability to compete in professional baseball.
You will also see a stronger analysis for pitchers as I have found a very informative resource on pitch profiles for farm and top-team pitchers. However, I do not have the same strong data on new draftees or hitters but I will do my best with what I have researched and what others are saying. As a disclaimer, I have no insider knowledge. I am basing my judgements on comments made in the media, the statistics, my subjective eye test and what scouting reports I can find.
This list is almost a case of 'oops, all lefties' with seven left-handed pitchers appearing versus only two righties while catching is also well represented with three. Only three true outfield types here with a mixed bag of younger infielders who could play the outfield at some point too.
I would like to first give some honourable mentions to Tentō Nonaka, Tōki Hiwatari, Towa Kikuta and Keito Arima who could have easily taken a spot at #20. These four are still worth keeping an eye on in 2-gun this season. I also look forward to seeing the development of Ryūma Katō, Kenya Inoue, Mao Hoshino and Rii Kawakami to see if they can step up a gear.
Without further ado, let's get into it. The first up is a lad that will be a developmental storyline to follow over the next three or four years.
The last 8-9 guys in this organisation are a mixed bag, but I've gone with one here that I think could have the highest upside and that is the new draftee, Naiki Nakamura. With a 'just do it' attitude, Nakamura is a great athlete. A waif at 73kg (160lb) on his 183cm (6"0') frame, there is plenty of room to fill out. A typical high school star, Nakamura played short-stop and served as Miyazaki Commercial High School's closer helping them to a win in the Miyazaki prefectural tournament and a chance on the biggest stage at the summer Koshien. Fast on the bases and with a powerful arm from shortstop, the raw tools of Nakamura have attracted scouts this year. One scout comments that with refinement of his current abilities, he could easily reach NPB level while others have praised his defensive IQ and his ability to stick at shortstop. A big topic of Nakamura's development will be how far his hit tool can advance. With very little power, Nakamura will need to work on overall strength and conditioning to compete at the professional level. A very interesting pick-up in the development draft, it will still be some time before we see the fruits of Nakamura's labour.
One that hasn't really done much since last season, Taisei Miya (2023, #17) falls two spots on this list as I don't know when or where the next step is coming from. Miya made three appearances in the first-team this year mostly as a defensive replacement while putting in 45 games for the farm team, second most behind Kōta Ishibashi. Injuries to other players allowed him to get a bit more time behind the plate this year. At times billed as a 'hitting' catcher, Miya did little of the sort leaving behind a .193/.253/.261 slash line in the limited plate appearances he was given. If Ishibashi moves up the pecking order Miya might be given some more time, but it's hard to see where he fits in the team's long-term plans. At 21 however, there's plenty more time to figure it out.
Hey, does anyone still remember Yuma Fukumoto? (2023, #12) I remember. The stocky corner utility had a barnstorming 2023 on the farm before being felled by injury. I certainly thought he wasn't far from the first team, but he's possibly a little bit further away now as he works his way back. Just given his age, as long as he is healthy I think he will be given some kind of opportunity this year to do something as this is likely the last year he'll get a chance to do so. Fukumoto was out for the entirety of 2024. He had arthroscopic labrum repair surgery in the 2023 off-season, spending the year in rehabilitation. Fukumoto was one of the brighter lights on the 2023 Western League team, as he hit .321/.348/.415 over 204 PA popping 12 extra-base hits. Drafted as an outfielder, it's still possible we may see him out there, but he had been seeing reps at first and third base before injury. Being somewhat positionally flexible will be a boon for him in looking for game time, and it is possible he could be the farm team's starting first baseman in 2025. If he lights it up on his return and the pair of Shō Nakata and new signing Jason Vosler struggle at first base, then there may be a chance for him to turn the tragedy of a lost season into a triumph.
Akio Moriyama (2023, #9) has had a few injury issues, but he returned in the final third of the 2024 farm season. It was a lost season in a lot of ways, but the fact he came back means he could make the 2025 season a more meaningful one, starting from spring training. The lefty from Tokushima pitched just 9 innings on the farm over 5 games including giving up several homers and walks. Moriyama's homework for the off-season will be building up core strength to get more velocity on his fastball. From when he was drafted, it seemed like his secondary offerings were stronger than the four-seamer and so far in 2024, it has remained the same. While he generated a 45.5% groundball rate on the fastball, the slider was better at 67.5%. Whiff and putaway percentages were highest on the curveball and sinker. Looking back at 2023, it was a similar story with the sinker being more effective and inducing groundballs (73.7%) than any other of his pitches and rated highest with 136 Stuff+. In limited experience in both 2023 and 2024, Moriyama has shown he is stronger against left-handed hitters as a southpaw, but there seems to be good control of the fastball to both sides and a reasonable ability to get groundballs with his arsenal. The higher average velocity on his comeback is encouraging. He was up to an average of 141km/h (87.6 mph) in 2024. Still only 19 years old, Moriyama has plenty of time ahead of him to grow into his frame more and develop his pitches. He falls down the list simply because he's had an injury and it's still uncertain how well he'll bounce back.
Seishū Higuchi (2023, #16) strangely, might even be on the opening day roster, but his floor and ceiling are considerably lower than many of his peers. Originally signed on a development deal, Higuchi has spent most of the last two years on the farm as an infield utility and sometimes outfielder. While the hit tool didn't impress in 2023, he has made some strides this year hitting .267/.343/.337 (102 OPS+) but most impressively led the team in steals with 21 in 30 attempts (70% success rate), ranking 4th in the Western League. Manager, Kazuki Inoue has implied that Higuchi might be the man to replace Gōki Oda as the team's key pinch-runner off the bench ahead of the 2025 season citing his "courage" to steal bases. Inoue clearly has a good sense of Higuchi's ability having managed him on the farm. I think he may remain on this list next year if he still has a job because he won't be getting many plate appearances. Oda made over 60 appearances in games in 2025, but barely any of them involved a plate appearance. I feel Higuchi may have a similar route ahead of him. Not a plus defender at any particular position and not yet proven to be much more than handy as a hitter, the upside and floor for Higuchi is relatively limited. He looks set to have a role as a pro however as a utility/pinch-runner. [Video Highlights]
Well, it didn't go well in Keishi Tsuda's (2023, #6) first year in professional baseball. A second-round pick in the 2023 draft, Tsuda was expected to be competing for a spot at shortstop in the first-team. Unfortunately for Tsuda, injury delayed his season and he never really found his rhythm. Tsuda had a forgettable year with the bat eking out a .234/.312/.292 slash over 80 games with only 10 of those games played at short-stop. Cristian Rodriguez started the most games at short in 2-gun, while Tsuda's playing time mostly came at third base, leading the farm team with appearances in the hot corner. It is a very long road ahead for Tsuda. As a third baseman, he doesn't have the power. As a shortstop, he doesn't seem to have the defensive prowess. However, how much can we base on a rookie season? In the Fall Phoenix League, it looked like he had found something hitting for an .823 OPS (38 PA) with seven steals in eight attempts but his hit tool turned back into a pumpkin in the Asian Winter League with a .235 OPS over 38 plate appearances. Very small samples, but very much a continuation of his farm season. Tsuda fell sharply in my ranking and I do feel justified in rating Tsujimoto over Tsuda given the season passed - defensive upside when it comes to short stops really matters. There is still time for Tsuda to turn it around, but with more and more competent-looking short stop types rearing their heads, he might get left in the darkness. [Video Highlights]
Another new addition. Kōsuke Takahashi was signed out of high school in the 2024 draft. You might see him in the top 10 next year if he passes pro viability check. I believe he will have a mid-rotation ceiling as he develops. Cited by some as potentially going as early as the third round, Ko-Tak, as I will dub him, fell to the Dragons in the 5th round. A U-18 Samurai Japan representative, Takahashi is a lefty that tops out at 149 km/h (92.5 mph) with a slider, curveball and change-up. An underclassman of bullpen lefty, Kōki Saito, Takahashi started high school hurling 120km/h (74.5 mph) but raised his velocity by 29 km/h (17.3 mph) due to an intensive squat program. Scouts have praised the improvement of his fastball commenting on its strength. While others have apparently bought into the crafty lefty trope, speaking of his "cleverness" and "toughness." Giants' scout Takahiro Aoki commented on the angle of his delivery as being unique, particularly in its ability to choke up right-handed hitters inside, while Hawks scout Tomohiro Nagai compared him to Tomohisa Ozeki complimenting his balance when throwing. I have high hopes for Ko-Tak but like many high school-level players selected lower in the lower rounds, his first season in pro-ball will be all about strength and conditioning. Hopefully, we will see a few dozen or so innings on the farm from him.
Maybe a victim of my new ranking system, Ryūnosuke Yamaasa (2023, #7) slips out of the top ten this year after suffering an injury in late 2024 and failing to improve much with the bat. With a new draftee likely jumping over him in the pecking order, it doesn't seem likely he'll see much time in the first team soon. Yamaasa is the third generation of catchers being developed in the organisation alongside Taisei Miya (#19) and Toki Hiwatari (unranked). All in their early 20s, Yamaasa represents the option with the highest upside defensively. Yamaasa played in three first-team games in 2024, managing 5 put-outs. There was however little development of the hit-tool on the farm, as he posted an identical .167 average with a slightly improved OPS (.404 -> .413). Yamaasa suffered a blow however in fall camp this year as he injured his spleen in training needing to undergo catheterisation surgery due to fears of further bleeding. While his stay in hospital was only a matter of weeks, it prevented him from participating in the Asia Winter League. Likely to be fine for spring, Yamaasa will be 21 next year, so there is still plenty of development time ahead and if the hit tool can get to a point of serviceable, the defensive upside might carry him to a first-team job. [Video Highlights]
The third-round pick at this year's draft clocks in at number twelve, but not because of a lack of potential. Shunta Mori is a well-built infielder with great power. A short-stop in high school, it's likely Mori profiles more as a third-baseman or a corner outfielder as he gets older. Indirectly, Mori's addition offsets the loss of infielder, Masami Ishigaki in the active player draft. At 187cm (6'2") and 91kg (200lb), Mori is big for an 18-year-old, truly in stark contrast to Naiki Nakamura's (#20) slender frame. With that size, however, Mori swings a powerful left-handed bat with 48 home runs to his name in high school. Not slow on the base paths, he can run home to first base in 4.2 seconds and has shown good arm strength having pitched up to 141km/h (87.5mph), on par with new team-mate and fellow corner infielder Takaya Ishikawa. A native of Yokohama, Mori went to the same high school as current San Diego Padres reliever, Yūki Matsui. Pre-draft, Mori proclaimed he wanted to go to Koshien and be drafted like his class senior, but while the Koshien qualification was not forthcoming, the draft selection was. Scout reports are skint, but most praise his power and bat control with optimism over his ability to maintain power with a wooden bat. This is a kind of high school aged hitting prospect we haven't seen in the Dragons organisation for a while, probably since Ishikawa, so that in itself is exciting. Perhaps not quite on the same level as Ishikawa was when drafted, the physical presence on it's own is very interesting. Hopefully, we get to see plenty of him on the farm in 2025, and I'm confident he will move up this list next year. [Video Highlights]
Shōta Habu (2023, #14) had a taste of pitching in the first team in his rookie year mostly as a middle reliever. While he didn't immediately make an impact, he at least has a foundation to build on. Habu threw only 12 innings with the top side in 2024 and didn't quite get up to the same standard as his farm results, but showed some promise in shutting down righties with his fastball-slider combo. His location on his slider was above average but there wasn't a lot to it. The slider played much better on the farm getting a 127 Stuff+ rating and a very similar rating in Location+. Clearly, there is a gap between the top team and the farm, but Habu at least seems to show that his fastball and slider will play. I think Habu will be knocking on the door for a spot in the bullpen. With many Dragons bullpen arms having reverse splits, it would make sense to add Habu, who is very effective against righties, into the bullpen mix. At the moment he needs to work on getting lefties out if he's going to be a set-up calibre reliever, but at present could etch out a niche as a righty-on-righty specialist. [Video Highlights]
There is enough red on Ren Kondō's (2023, unranked) pitching profile, that I think it's safe to say the lefty has bounced back from the humiliation he suffered in the top team in 2023 where he was forced to eat 10 earned runs in an inning. Pitching 43 innings on the farm last year, Kondō showed an elite fastball-slider combo that destroyed opposition hitters. His fastball induced 61.1% groundballs with 115 Stuff+. His slider however was even more potent with a 68.6% (75% against lefties) groundball rate and a .270 expected Expected Weighted On-Base Average on Contact (xwOBAcon) paired with a 39.4% whiff rate. He similarly threw a destructive splitter to good effect inducing a 45% whiff rate. With all that going on, Kondō should absolutely find himself with a role in the 2025 bullpen. His splitter isn't bad either meaning pitching to either side of the plate isn't going to be a struggle. He also throws his slider quite effectively to righties too. If he didn't have a track record of being decidedly average in 2-gun since joining the team, I would have ranked him a lot higher, but given previous seasons it's hard to judge which Kondō we will get in 2025. If he's anything like 2024 Kondō, then he absolutely has the stuff to make a first-team bullpen role his own. Kondō needs to make something of his future this year because at 27 years old in 2025, he is the eldest of the non-graduated prospects. [Video Highlights]
It was a bounce-back year for Shōnosuke Hama.(2023, #11) He did not perform anywhere near the standard expected in 2023, but he has come back with a small vengeance hitting a respectable .250/.345/.337 slash on the farm under Kazuki Inoue's tutelage. Converting from short stop to the outfield, Hama took a step forward with his hitting tool showing reasonable on-base prowess taking a team-leading 41 walks. Hama also dialled up his base stealing to 14 in 22 attempts. Although not the greatest success rate, he was second on the team in steals. These on-base skills could help him find a role in the first team in the future. The top team lacks real on-base specialists since Yōhei Ōshima's decline and Hama might have the right mix of skills to see some time in the Vantelin Dome outfield with a bit of luck in 2025. Hama will turn 25 in the 2025 season, so this upcoming season and the next will likely make or break his career. Another reasonable step forward, preferably with some extra-base potential, could help push Hama into the outfield mix which is screaming out for a competent left-handed bat with a little pop. [Video Highlights]
One that completely went under my radar last year was Gōki Oda (2023, unranked). Drafted in the third round of the development draft in 2023, I didn't expect to see Oda get anywhere near the first team. However, the team appear to have uncovered a diamond in the rough. Oda was given a chance to have a role with Tatsunami's 1-gun team throughout the year making 65 appearances mostly as a pinch-runner. Showing defensive prowess and speed on the bases, Oda can play any of the three outfield spots and has gone from strength to strength in the off-season leading Dragons Fall Phoenix League hitters with a .382 average and a .833 OPS. Oda also went 7 for 8 in steals as well. In the Asia Winter League, Oda had similar success hitting .302/.465/.349 slash leading in average. There's a lot to like about Oda, but his lack of extra bases is going to limit his upside. Oda hit two extra-base hits in his 89 at-bats between the Phoenix and Winter League. His slugging on the farm in 2024 was better at .400, but it does seem that Oda is going to likely offer speed on the bases and contact hitting for not so much power. That being said, he could easily start the year as the Dragons' main outfield bench option. However, rumours are that Seishū Higuchi will be the likely replacement for his pinch-running role with concerns that Oda is not as proactive in the steals department. I think the key difference between Hama at 9 and Oda at 8 is the defensive upside. I think it's more likely that Oda can play centre-field with his mobility than Hama who seems more destined for a corner outfield role but that is perhaps splitting hairs. [Video Highlights]
Kōnosuke Fukuda (2023, #8) is currently the best U-21 prospect in the organisation. A 4th round pick in 2023, Fukuda seems to be one of the few drafted during Tatsunami's reign that has shown great growth potential. Fukuda threw 37.3 innings on the farm this year mostly as a starter toward the end of the year. So far it appears that Fukuda has been working on showing off his fastball but also showed off his change-up and slider as his most common secondary offerings mixing in a sinker and a curveball. Overall his outings were relatively successful taking 29 strikeouts for a 3.13 ERA. Early looks at his pitch profile seem to suggest that the fastball has good potential with a 19.1 whiff% and a 17.2 Putaway%, both above league average for a fastball, control still needs work as his Location+ rates a lowly 70. The fastball does however pass the eye test with some great shape. The slider hasn't profiled well so far and will need work if he is to be successful against left-handed hitters in particular, but the change-up certainly seems strong with a 147 Stuff+ and a 53.6 Whiff%. The sample size however is still very small with only 68 change-ups thrown compared to 490 fastballs. Still, Fukuda has a fastball averaging around 144-145km/h (89-90 mph) which is promising for someone his age, and the fact he has yet to give up a homerun is also encouraging. I expect to see more development of his secondary offerings going into his second season in professional ball, but pain around his ribs during fall camp (yes, that's very ambiguous) means he might be unable to tune up over the off-season to stay on track for Spring. Still, I think the tools are all there for Fukuda to be a good starter in NPB, and should he maintain a similar trajectory in 2025, may get an odd spot start. [Video Highlights]
Rintarō Tsujimoto (2023, #5) got his cup of joe in the top team in his rookie year, and while it wasn't enough to keep him there for any extended period, he garnered some fans and support within the organisation as a result. Kazuki Inoue seems to like the diminutive short-stop having looked after him on the farm in 2024, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finds himself in a role at some point in 2025 with tiredness and injuries popping up. Tsujimoto drops a spot in this year's ranking by not hitting all that well and with higher ceiling talents joining the team, but he has shown the ability to play short-stop professionally. If anything I maintain cautious optimism over his future, much in the same way I did last year. Tsujimoto was a mainstay on the farm in 2024 featuring in 90 games, serving as the team's main short-stop. He didn't show too much with the bat, hitting a very modest .227/.301/.259 slash line but led the team in sac-bunts and swiped 4 bags. Defensively is where he showed the most value, beating out fellow 2023 draftee, Keishi Tsuda for reps at short-stop and also taking time away from 2022 regular, Ryūku Tsuchida. For a rookie year, Tsujimoto can be relatively satisfied. Still, the hit tool needs to come along more to be considered to have any hope of dislodging Kaito Muramatsu at short-stop or potentially Mikiya Tanaka and Hiroki Fukunaga from second base. 2025 will be a big year either way. [Video Highlights]
Mizuki Miura is a lefty that the Dragons acquired from the Softbank Hawks as a free agent. Miura turned down the Hawks' offer to re-sign on a development contract and decided to go to the Dragons, where he saw the passage to a first-team spot as a little more straightforward. Miura led the Western League in ERA last season and has shown some promise. His pitch profile shows a pitcher with an average fastball but a very good slider that is particularly good against lefties. Miura has good control on all of his pitches including a handy change-up he threw 17% of the time in 2024. With an average velocity of 140 km/h (86 mph), his fastball isn't scaring anyone and with a 68 stuff+ rating. In 2025, Miura will turn 26 meaning he has to make something of a career now and I think, judging by his numbers, he will likely make some starts for the Dragons. Takahiro Matsuba is a reasonable comp as his fastball is similarly rated, and he can also locate a cutter and change up to good effect. At worst, Miura would be a good lefty killer reliever. If the Dragons really dialled up his slider and change up usage, he could have an interesting future. [Video Highlights]
With an aging catching group of Takuya Kinoshita, Shingo Usami and Takuma Kato, the team have brought in Nippon Seimei's Yūta Ishii to challenge Kōta Ishibashi for the mantle of next-generation's first-team catcher. The floor for Ishii is a good defensive catcher, probably not far from Masato Matsui, but much like Matsui the ceiling will be decided by his hit tool. Ishii has a pop-time of 1.9 seconds and has been clocked at throwing 147 km/h (91.3mph). He showed some promise of being able to hit in his final year in the industrial leagues under the tutelage of Dragons legend and Nippon Seimei alum, Kosuke Fukudome, but it wasn't over a particularly long period as he posted a .311/.404/.444 slash over just 15 games. Ishii was signed with one eye on the performance of Kinoshita and could be called on this year to join the first team, however, it will take time for him to gain familiarity with the team's pitchers and opposition hitters. Kazuki Inoue has already earmarked him for a start with the first-team group in Spring training. I would expect to see him in 2025 as part of a three-man mix, maybe with Ishibashi and Usami but he likely won't be challenging for a regular starting role until 2026. [Video Highlights]
Shō Kusaka (2023, #3) spent the 2024 season on the sidelines after undergoing Tommy John surgery at the beginning of the year. Going down in January with medial epicondyle apophysitis and undertaking TJ surgery later in the month. The 2023 number-one pick has spent a year in contemplation. On October 19, he threw his first bullpen since the surgery, at least finishing the year on a high note. The Dragons rotation was a weakness this year with only Takahashi and Ogasawara pitching 100+ innings. Having Kusaka in the rotation may have made up for some of the games the team ultimately lost. He maintains his #3 spot this year, but given his injury history and short span of success as an amateur with only one full year as the main pitcher for his team, I feel the next ranked candidate may have a slight upper hand developmentally given their extended track record of success. In 2023, he pitched 63.1 innings with a low 4.87 K/9 and an equally low 1.85 BB/9. I remain sceptical over the strikeout rate, but we will see how that plays out over the next six to twelve months. Many a pitcher has recovered from TJ before and I strongly believe Kusaka will be back given his impressive physicality, but longevity is now a question. Pre-injury, Kusaka was topping out at 153 km/h (95 mph) with a slider, curve and two-seamer - should those offerings still be in his arsenal, he should provide a much-needed boost to the rotation. [Video Highlights]
Time will tell if I'm being generous about Seiya Yoshida, but so far reports I have read and from what I understand of the Seino lefty, he comes with a pedigree that should play well. Listed as a possible first-round draft pick, Yoshida was the 14th overall pick at the 2024 draft. Citing former Hawks ace, Toshiya Sugiuchi as the player he'd most like to emulate, Yoshida tops out at 152 km/h (93-94mph) with an average velo between 140-145 km/h (87-90mph) with a solid change-up. He also throws a slider, cutter and a 12-6 curveball. His change-up induces whiffs from lefty hitters as well and in 2024 had a 10.22 K/9 and 3.15 BB/9. His best performance of the year was a 12K complete game against Tokai Rika in the Intercity Tournament qualifiers. Chunichi scouts rate his change-up highly saying he can get a read on hitters and throw it a little harder giving him almost two different pitches. Yoshida still needs to pass the pro-ball viability check and actually do well when he gets to the professional leagues, but so far the scouting report is very positive and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pitch 60+ innings with the first-team this year. [Video Highlights]
He won't be on this list for very long, but Yumeto Kanemaru, the Dragons' number one pick at the 2024 draft is far and away the most promising prospect on this list and one of the hottest prospects in NPB. Kanemaru put up video game numbers in the Kansai College league. Maxing out at 154 km/h (95-96mph) and armed with a bevy of breaking balls, Kanemaru maintained a 0.83 ERA over 239.2 innings in his four-year Kansai University career. It's not just the ERA, but the strikeouts. Kanemaru fanned 312 batters in those 239 innings giving him an 11.72 K/9. He similarly showed great control walking only 43 batters for a BB/9 of 1.61. Kanemaru was league MVP in the fall of 2022 and 2023 while last year had more limited production due to hip issues. Kanemaru sits in the 90-94mph range and shows good break on his off-speed offerings. He throws a splitter, a change-up, a slider and a curveball. His command of his breaking balls is also reported as excellent with his change-up being the strongest. Scouts have remarked on his effortless delivery and his ability to go deep into games also commenting that his split and changeup had developed more vertical drop going into his senior year. Kanemaru will likely see first-team baseball quickly, but it depends on if there is any remaining pain in the lower body. Concerns over his hip will likely remain until we see him in Spring training but I would not be surprised that even if ready he isn't fully unleashed with a 100+ inning workload this year. There will however be plenty of chances as the team reform the rotation. Kanemaru is probably one of the most exciting prospects the Dragons have had for a while now, and the imagination will run wild with possibility. There is certainly a chance for him in 2025, it's just a matter of health. [Video Highlights]
Moving On Up (Or Out): Rank Reshuffling
| Player | 2024 Rank | 2025 Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kondō | Unranked | 10 | ↑ |
| Oda | Unranked | 8 | ↑ |
| Fukuda | 8 | 7 | ↑1 |
| Hama | 11 | 9 | ↑2 |
| Habu | 14 | 11 | ↑3 |
| Fukumoto | 12 | 18 | ↓6 |
| Tsuda | 6 | 15 | ↓9 |
| Yamaasa | 7 | 13 | ↓6 |
| Miya | 17 | 19 | ↓2 |
| Moriyama | 9 | 17 | ↓8 |
- Kenta Bright (graduation)
- Mikiya Tanaka (graduation)
- Akira Neo (graduation)
- Ryūma Katō (position change)
- Ryūshin Takeuchi (released)
- Taisei Ishimori (released)
- Shōta Fukushima (released)
There are several exciting talents bubbling on the farm and given the high upside options available, the struggles had with the rotation in 2024 could possibly be relieved with some of these rookies. Let's hope for a healthy season ahead.
