[Orix] Sapporo Nihon University’s Yosuke Kubota, who was selected in the 4th round, aims to become the “superhuman” Itoi by putting an end to his two-way role. “I want someone who can evaluate me.”
Sports Hochi
2025.10.29(水) 16:57
Yosuke Kubota (18), outfielder from Sapporo Nihon University who was selected by Orix Buffaloes in the fourth round, received a congratulatory speech from scouting group leader Kazuo Yamaguchi (51) and scout Yoshikazu Sano (27) at the school in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido, on the 29th.
After entering high school, he played as a outfielder. His fastest swing speed was 164 km/h. He participated in the summer Koshien as No. 4 hitter in the summer of his second year. This year, his final year, he continued to practice mainly pitcher and in the summer he was runner-up in the South Hokkaido Tournament as the ace. The fastest straight ball also measured 148 km/h.
Standing at 185cm tall and weighing 88kg, Kubota has a well-built physique and participated in the training camp for U-18 Japan national team candidates. He has attracted attention from professionals for his pitching and batting skills, and scout Sano commented, “He has strength in all areas, including a strong swing, a strong shoulder, and speed, and we evaluated him as a player with great potential. We observed him for a year as we felt he was appealing as pitcher, but we hope he will demonstrate his great potential and speed as fielder.” Kubota also commented, “I don’t have a strong preference for one or the other. I wanted to play for a team that gave me a high evaluation, so I would like to move in line with the team’s thinking,” and will begin his professional baseball career as outfielder.
His physical abilities are already among the best among high school students, and Group Manager Yamaguchi, who was the scout for Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, commented, “It’s rare to find someone of that size with that kind of speed.” His vertical jump has already reached 89cm, surpassing the 87cm of Yoshio Itoi, who was nicknamed “Superman” and played for Orix. His talents include running, hitting, and defense, and he stated his goal, saying, “(Itoi) was a man of great potential and physical ability, so much so that he was called superman. I would like to become a player like that.”
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AloJapan.com