Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
Giants draft Yokohama pitcher Shoki Oda despite his MLB plans
The Yomiuri Giants picked Yokohama High pitcher Shoki Oda first overall in Japan’s professional baseball draft.
Oda, 18, had already said he wanted to pursue a career in the United States.
After the selection, he called it an honor but said his intention to go to America had not changed.
Japan’s new national team manager, Tsuyoshi Iguchi, said Oda may still feel doubts and urged him to make a choice he would not regret.
Oda has not been registered with Major League Baseball as an international amateur free agent or for the MLB draft, according to a baseball reporter cited in the coverage.
International amateur free agents must be registered by November 1, so the situation could still change before then.
If Oda joins the Giants, his decision may draw scrutiny because he had publicly stated his plans to play abroad.
The Yomiuri Giants selected Yokohama High School pitcher Shoki Oda first overall in Japan’s professional baseball draft.
Oda has said he intends to pursue a career in the United States and that his resolve to do so has not wavered.
The Giants made the selection despite Oda’s stated plans to go to the United States.
Japan national team manager Masahiro Iguchi said Oda should make a choice he would not regret.
Comedian Sanma Akashiya said Oda joining the Giants could draw criticism, citing past controversies over the team’s draft conduct.
- Who
- The Yomiuri Giants selected Yokohama pitcher Shoki Oda, 18.
- What
- The Giants chose Oda first overall in the professional baseball draft despite his stated plan to pursue a career in the United States.
- When
- The draft was held on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Giants selected Oda first overall in the professional baseball draft.
Oda held a news conference at Yokohama High School and said his intention to pursue a career in the United States had not wavered.
Sanma Akashiya discussed the Giants’ selection of Oda on an MBS radio programme.
Japan national team manager Masahiro Iguchi commented on Oda’s decision during a television appearance.
- Player
- Shoki Oda
- School
- Yokohama High School
- Drafting team
- Yomiuri Giants
- Draft position
- First overall
- Age
- 18
- Stated plan
- Pursue a career in the United States
3 sources
What people are saying
光栄な指名を頂きましたが、アメリカに挑戦する気持ちは全くぶれません
ぶれないとは言いながらもどこかで迷いっていうのは出てくると思う。悔いのない選択をしてほしいなと思います
このまま巨人に入ると、また巨人がいろいろ言われると思うねんけど。