2026 Senbatsu Rising Future Samurai Stars to Watch Including Osaka Toin Sophomore Duo and Shutoku Ace Left Hander

The opening day of the 98th Senbatsu, signaling the arrival of the spring high school baseball season, is March 19. Shoki Oda of Yokohama (Kanagawa), who won last year’s tournament, and Ryosuke Sueyoshi, the left-handed ace of last summer’s champion Okinawa Shogaku—though underclassmen, both made names for themselves and will return to the sacred ground this spring as third-year students. However, there are talents who could seize the spotlight from them and become top draft prospects in the future.

[Part 1] [2026 Senbatsu Feature] “Called the Next Ohtani!” The abilities of the “Future Samurai Japan” heating up Koshien

The Agony of the Second Generation

Osaka Toin, the powerhouse that missed both the spring and summer Koshien last year, has a second-year player awaiting a breakout.

First is the 192 cm tall left-hander Haruto Kawamoto. Although the ace number is worn by senior Kansuke Yoshioka, whose fastball boasts excellent spin rate, Kawamoto led the team to victory as a main pitcher in last autumn’s Kinki Tournament, which determined qualification for Senbatsu. Head coach Koichi Nishitani, who holds the record for 70 career Koshien wins, has continued to use Kawamoto, overlooking some control issues in favor of his unique qualities.

“My strength is my fastball with a steep angle. That’s something only tall pitchers can do, so I want to make full use of that and keep attacking aggressively.”

Among the position players is Yuto Nakamura, the eldest son of Takeya Nakamura of the Saitama Seibu Lions, known as “Okawari-kun.” Until last autumn, he was a backup third baseman, but in practice games for Senbatsu, he started and delivered a go-ahead hit that sharply split the outfield. Not only his face but also his batting style resembles his father.

“Since he’s close to me, I’ve always used my father’s batting as a reference.”

At last autumn’s Kinki Tournament, Nakamura once entered the game as a defensive substitute mid-game. Although he didn’t get a turn at bat, he was selected for media interviews afterward. Feeling apologetic for being interviewed ahead of his seniors despite not having made a significant contribution, Nakamura reportedly shed tears in private. However, on this day, he showed a bit more confidence.

“When I get results, people will probably say, ‘As expected of Okawari-kun’s son,’ but when I don’t hit, they’ll think, ‘Even though he’s his son’ At first, I struggled with that, but now, if I can’t hit, I just go all out without overthinking. I don’t think I need to worry about how people see me anymore.”

Riku Tokumaru, the ace left-hander of Sotoku High School in Hiroshima, came within one out of reaching Koshien for the first time in 49 years last summer, only to be caught by Koryo and lose 1–2 in a tiebreak. He reflected on that moment:

“From two outs in the ninth inning, we lost our chance at Koshien, which was disappointing both individually and as a team. In autumn, I approached it with the mindset of starting over and reaching the top, and once I stepped on the mound, I was determined not to yield to anyone.”

Although Sotoku lost again to Koryo in the Hiroshima regional final, they went on to win the Chugoku Tournament and secured their first Senbatsu appearance in 33 years. Tokumaru throws a 141 km/h fastball along with a slider, forkball, and cutter. While his velocity and power may not stand out in modern high school baseball, his exceptional control more than makes up for it.

“Regardless of whether the batter is left- or right-handed, I focus on pitching both inside and outside. Since I started doing that, I’ve been able to get outs more consistently. I think it’s my lifeline as a pitcher.”

Though they are the Chugoku champions, Sotoku are not the Hiroshima champions. Only by defeating their rivals in summer can Tokumaru truly open up his baseball future.

“Koshien has been my dream since I was little, so I’m excited already. But it’s only a stepping stone. I want to perform well and get even one step closer to the professional level.”

From among these players, future Samurai Japan stars are sure to emerge.

[Part 1] [2026 Senbatsu] “Called the Next Ohtani!” The “Future Samurai Japan” heating up Koshien

From the March 27/April 3, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”