Offseason Kickoff, Autumn Training Updates, and Okamoto’s MLB Status
A week has passed since the Giants’ early exit from the Climax Series, and Manager Shinnosuke Abe is wasting no time reshaping the team. His autumn training plan eliminates the elite “S group” and introduces strict throwing quotas to rebuild from the ground up. Meanwhile, the Phoenix League squad remains strong with a 7–4 record. Amid reports suggesting Kazuma Okamoto will stay in Japan this winter, the Giants’ new chapter under the banner “Born to Win” is officially underway.
🧡 First Team: Restarting After CS Elimination
The Giants’ 2025 season came to an abrupt end after back-to-back losses to DeNA in the Climax Series First Stage.
- October 11 (Yokohama): DeNA’s pitcher Kay limited the Giants to two runs over seven innings in a 6–2 loss.
- October 12: An 11th-inning walk-off hit by Ebina sealed another defeat, 7–6.
Both games highlighted the same issue: the Giants struggled to seize control in either pitching or batting throughout the season. Fixing that imbalance will be a key priority heading into 2026.
⚾ Abe’s Autumn Training Vision: Back to Basics
Right after the season ended, Manager Abe announced a tougher and more measurable autumn training program.
- Pitching Workload Quota:
Abe emphasized that “lack of throwing volume” was a key weakness. Pitchers will now have clearly tracked pitch counts to strengthen stamina and durability.
→ Goal: improve from last season’s league-low average of 5.41 innings per start. - Abolition of the S-Class Group:
The separate elite training group has been scrapped. Abe’s message was sharp — “If you want to go at your own pace, do it in the minors.”
The 2026 spring camp will be conducted as a unified program for all players. - Focus on Fundamentals:
Expect long runs, throwing drills, and endless fielding practice. Abe’s approach blends “back-to-basics philosophy” with data-driven accountability.
“I want this autumn to be a time when the entire team feels itself rising from the ground up,” Abe told Sports Nippon.
🧢 Phoenix League: Young Players Shine in Miyazaki
In the Miyazaki Phoenix League, the Giants’ younger roster continues to gain valuable in-game experience:
- Oct 6 vs Orix – 9–5 Win
- Oct 12 vs Lotte – 2–1 Win
- Oct 14 vs SoftBank – 7–2 Win
- Oct 16 vs Kuhfu Hayate – 3–9 Loss
- Oct 17 vs DeNA – 7–2 Win
- Oct 19 vs Yakult – 12–1 Win
As of October 20, the team stands at 7–4, showing improvement in both batting depth and starting rotation strength — exactly the areas Abe aims to rebuild.
Check the Giants’ official site or the Phoenix League portal for updated scores and stats.
🥎 Spotlight: Kazuma Okamoto’s MLB Decision
One of this offseason’s biggest talking points is Kazuma Okamoto’s MLB future — or lack thereof.
MLB insider Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) reported on X that “multiple sources believe the Giants will not post Okamoto to MLB this winter.”
Japanese media echoed the report, indicating the club is likely to hold off on a posting application.
No official announcement has been made, but signs point toward Okamoto remaining in Tokyo for 2026. Despite battling injuries late in the season, he still managed 20 home runs, reaffirming his value as the Giants’ core slugger and leader.
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