Chunichi Dragons · Pitcher (starter)
A right-handed ace for the Chunichi Dragons. Born in 2002 and a 2020 first-round pick, he was part of Japan’s 2023 WBC-winning squad. He misses bats with a high-90s mph fastball and a sharp splitter, and is one of the best starters of his generation.
Overseas outlets call him maybe the best NPB pitcher who hasn’t joined MLB yet, with one of the highest ceilings of any Japanese starter. He was dominant in 2024 (a league-best 1.38 ERA) but uneven in 2025. He trains with Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the offseason, and Dodgers interest has been floated.
A move via the posting system or free agency is discussed for the 2026–27 offseason. Nothing is official yet; regaining consistency is the key.
Often likened to Yoshinobu Yamamoto among his generation of starters; some see a Mitch Keller profile.
As of 2026-06-29 · Source: NPB official
NPB Prospects中日のエース格・髙橋宏斗を、海外メディアとスカウトはどう見ているか。ESPN・FanSided・Just Baseball・Dodgers Nation の評価をまとめた。共通するのは「日本人先発で屈指の伸びしろ」という評価と、山本由伸との結びつき、そしてドジャースの影。2024年に防御率1.38で圧倒したが2025年は不振と、評価には“次の飛躍待ち”の留保もつく。各社の原文・出典は発言者名のリンクから。
