[2026 Draft] Kai Watanabe of Aoyama Gakuin: “The draft isn’t the finish line. I believe the real challenge begins once I’m in the league.”

A Power-Hitting “Championship-Guaranteeing” Catcher

In the 61-year history of the draft since its introduction in 1965, there has never been a single instance where college catchers were the subject of a bidding war. However, any team hoping to secure the negotiating rights for Kai Watanabe (22) will likely have to win the lottery.

This “championship-guaranteeing” catcher—who won the Summer Koshien tournament during his sophomore year at Chiben Wakayama High School and went on to claim four national titles at Aoyama Gakuin University—is a rare talent that any team would desperately want to sign.

With a sturdy physique standing 180 cm tall and weighing 92 kg, Watanabe spoke with a charming smile that seemed almost out of proportion to his build.

“I’m happy to be recognized, but the draft isn’t the finish line. I believe the real battle begins once I join the team.

I aim to be a catcher who can hit, but first, I have to earn trust on defense—otherwise, a catcher can’t play in games. Throwing, catching, and blocking are all important, but I believe my ability to read the flow of the game is my greatest strength.”

He’s been dedicated solely to catching since the second grade. It’s a rewarding position precisely because it controls the game and directly influences whether the team wins or loses.

“The pitcher is the star of baseball. But when we lose, it’s the catcher who takes the blame (laughs).”

For high school, he chose Chiben Wakayama High School—coached by Hitoshi Nakatani, a former Hanshin Tigers first-round draft pick and catcher—to learn the art of leadership from him.

“I thought the best way to make it to the pros as a catcher was to learn from Coach Nakatani, who had a long and successful career in the pros. He taught me not only the technical aspects but also the mindset needed to approach a game and what to keep in mind as a catcher in my daily life.

For example, even in the dorm, I would constantly observe the pitching staff, making sure not to miss even the slightest change in their physical condition. That experience really pays off when calling the game.”

I did consider going straight from high school to the pros, but Coach Nakatani—drawing on his own experience of struggling after turning pro straight out of high school—recommended that I go to college instead.”

As a catcher with a strong bat, my baseball career had been a string of victories since high school, but this year—as team captain—we finished second in the spring league, and we’re facing a tough challenge to win the fall championship as well.

“I’m keenly aware of how difficult baseball is, and I feel like this is a final trial being put before me. To ensure Aoyama Gakuin remains a strong team, I want to give it my all.”

The October 9 issue of *FRIDAY* (October 23–30 edition) and the paid version, *FRIDAY GOLD*, also take an in-depth look at the true character of another first-round draft prospect, Yasunari Suzuki.

Click here for more details and additional photos ↓↓

From the October 23–30, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*