Updated: October 18, 2025｜Author: Yakyu Writer
Theme: The Yomiuri Giants enter the 2025 NPB Draft seeking instant-impact pitching and infield power. Their top target is Masahiro Tateishi (Soka Univ., 3B), while Seiki Nakanishi (Aoyama Gakuin Univ., RHP) stands as the primary fallback in case of a lottery miss. Below is the complete analysis.
- ⚾️ Team Overview & Draft Direction
- 🎯 Round-1 Focus — Masahiro Tateishi (3B, Soka Univ.)
- 🧩 Contingency Plan — Seiki Nakanishi (RHP, Aoyama Gakuin Univ.)
- 📊 Mock Draft Projection (Rounds 1–6 + Developmental)
- 🧠 Position-by-Position Needs
- 🔍 Draft Scenarios
- 💬 Scout Quotes
- 🔎 Big-Picture Takeaways
- 🏷️ SEO / Keywords
⚾️ Team Overview & Draft Direction
2024 Record: 70–69–4 (3rd in the Central League, made Climax Series)
The Giants’ 2024 season revealed two glaring issues:
- Starting rotation fatigue — innings shortage beyond ace Shohei Togo.
- Declining infield OPS — aging core (Sakamoto) and lack of power behind Okamoto.
Strategic pillars for 2025:
- Reinforce the starting rotation with college or industrial-league arms ready for NPB action.
- Add infield power hitters capable of replacing Sakamoto and supporting Okamoto.
- Use developmental picks for high-ceiling high school arms and athletic raw talents.
🎯 Round-1 Focus — Masahiro Tateishi (3B, Soka Univ.)
Profile:
- 178 cm / 80 kg — R/R
- Exit velocity: 170 km/h, collegiate career: .314 AVG, 15 HR, OPS 1.06
- Japanese Collegiate National Team member
Scouting Notes:
“Tateishi’s opposite-field power and swing speed are elite for a college hitter.”
“He profiles as an instant middle-of-the-order bat with solid third-base defense.”
Fit for Giants:
Tateishi directly addresses the Giants’ infield power deficit.
If acquired, he could share hot-corner duties with Okamoto or slide to second in the short term, giving the lineup a much-needed offensive spark.
Competition:
Expected 4–5 clubs will bid for him in the first-round lottery — high risk, high reward.
🧩 Contingency Plan — Seiki Nakanishi (RHP, Aoyama Gakuin Univ.)
Profile:
- 182 cm / 90 kg — RHP
- Max velocity: 152 km/h
- Arsenal: high-spin four-seamer, forkball, slider
- Two-time Best Pitcher, Tohto League
Scouting Notes:
“Polished command, pro-ready frame, smooth mechanics — could start in NPB from Year 1.”
“Low walk rate, heavy fastball, good mound poise.”
Why he fits:
If the Giants miss on Tateishi, Nakanishi gives them an immediate rotation stabilizer—a reliable innings-eater behind Togo and new import arms.
📊 Mock Draft Projection (Rounds 1–6 + Developmental)
| Round | Player | School/Team | Pos | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Masahiro Tateishi | Soka Univ. | 3B | Power hitter with strong D |
| 1C | Seiki Nakanishi | Aoyama Gakuin Univ. | RHP | Polished, pro-ready starter |
| 2 | Kaida Mori | Meiji Univ. | LHP | Strikeout lefty with sharp breaker |
| 3 | Kazuyuki Takemaru | Sagamiya (Industrial) | LHP | Consistent command, swing-and-miss stuff |
| 4 | Ryo Kakiuchi | Urawa Gakuin HS | OF | High-school slugger, raw power |
| 5 | Shunya Shimada | Toyo Univ. | RHP | Control-type depth arm |
| 6 | Kyohei Yamashiro | Asia Univ. | RHP | Solid secondary pitch mix |
| Dev. | Takumi Watanabe | Kokushikan Univ. | LHP | High-ceiling developmental prospect |
🧠 Position-by-Position Needs
| Category | Need | Ideal Profile | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Pitcher | Innings, command | College righties, durable lefties | Reduce HR rate & bullpen strain |
| Relief Pitcher | Lefty depth | Power reliever | Immediate impact |
| Infield | Power bat (3B/2B) | Tateishi-type hitter | Replace Sakamoto era production |
| Outfield | Power projection | Prep slugger | Future pipeline |
| Developmental | High-school arms | Velocity & physique upside | 2–3 slots expected |
🔍 Draft Scenarios
1️⃣ If Tateishi wins the lottery: focus shifts to lefty/relief depth from Round 2.
2️⃣ If Tateishi lost: switch to Nakanishi at 1C, then target high-school bats mid-round.
3️⃣ If other clubs overload pitching: Giants pivot to infield bats early.
4️⃣ If competition exceeds 5 teams: consider a one-team exclusive bid on a catcher/utility player.
💬 Scout Quotes
- Kisanuki (Scout): “Saito Tanao (Asia Univ.) has a unique downhill angle — a future starter type.”
- Kurematsu (Scout): “Fujiwara Soda (Hanazono Univ.) owns one of the best curveballs in this class.”
- Giants’ draft room consensus: “Prioritize lefties but don’t ignore middle-infield power.”
🔎 Big-Picture Takeaways
- Offense: boost OPS via right-handed power bats, especially infielders.
- Pitching: reduce HR/9 through higher spin rates and command.
- Development: keep investing in athletic high-school arms for future core strength.
Summary:
The 2025 Yomiuri Giants Draft is built on a three-pillar blueprint:
Instant rotation upgrades × Infield power injection × Long-term talent development.
Tateishi remains the dream pick; Nakanishi the pragmatic insurance.
🏷️ SEO / Keywords
Yomiuri Giants draft 2025, Masahiro Tateishi, Seiki Nakanishi, NPB draft predictions, Giants prospects, Japanese baseball draft 2025, college power hitter, instant-impact pitcher.
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