Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters draft pick 6th / [Yamashiro Kotaro] Hosei University

profile

name:Kotaro Yamashiro
position:pitcher
Pitching/batting:Right-handed pitcher/batter
Birthplace:Fukuoka Prefecture
date of birth:September 3, 2002
Height/Weight:183cm/84kg
Biography:Fukuoka City Nishitakamiya Elementary School (Nishitakamiya Little Mets) → Fukuoka City Takamiya Junior High School → Fukuoka University Ohori High School → Hosei University

Characteristics as a player

A right-handed pitcher with a maximum speed of 154km/h, delivered overhand from a height of over 180cm, his greatest weapon is his ability to throw sliders, cut balls, forks, and curves. During high school, he played as an infielder and outfielder, and was also a powerful hitter, hitting 21 home runs. During his time at Hosei University, he made a complete switch to pitching. His short career as a pitcher is expected to give him room to grow.

Illustration by vaguely

Baseball career

Achievements at Fukuoka University Ohori High School

In the winter of his second year while enrolled in the softball club at Takamiya Junior High School, he was selected for the Fukuoka Prefectural Team, where he played as both a pitcher and an infielder and won second place in the national tournament. In the fall of his third year, Yamashiro was selected to represent Japan in the 9th BFA U-15 Asian Championship. After entering Fukuoka University Ohori High School, he played as a fielder in the Minami Fukuoka Tournament in the summer of his first year. From the fall of his first year, he was established as a shortstop. After losing in the quarterfinals of the Fukuoka Tournament in the summer of his second year, he became the captain of his new team. He also became a pitcher, which was his wish, and led the team together with pitcher Shunpei Yamashita (Orix Buffaloes). In the summer of his third year, the regional tournament for the right to play in Koshien was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he advanced to the finals of the Ganbare Fukuoka 2020 Fukuoka Regional Tournament, which was held instead as a prefectural qualifying tournament. As a batter, he recorded a total of 21 home runs, and as a pitcher, he recorded a fastest speed of 149 km/h.

Achievements at Hosei University

After graduating from high school, he went on to Hosei University, which is part of the Tokyo Big Six Baseball League. In the spring of his second year, he recorded a top speed of 150 km/h in the Fresh League, attracting attention. In the fall of his third year, he made his league debut, and has supported the team as a relief pitcher ever since. In the fall of his fourth year, he recorded a top speed of 153 km/h in a game against Waseda University, and then showed impressive pitching in the following game against Keio University, earning his first win as a university player. In total, he has pitched in 12 games in the league, pitching 19 1/3 innings, with one win and no losses, 13 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.33.

Participation results

High school grades

2018 Spring Fukuoka Prefectural Tournament: Lost in the third round
Summer Fukuoka Prefectural Tournament: Lost in the semi-finals
Fukuoka Prefecture Autumn Tournament: Lost in the 4th round
2019 Spring Fukuoka Prefecture Tournament: 3rd place
Spring Kyushu Tournament: Lost in the quarterfinals
Summer Fukuoka Prefectural Tournament: Lost in the quarterfinals
Fukuoka Prefecture Autumn Tournament: Lost in the 4th round
2020 Summer Fukuoka Prefecture Tournament: Runner-up

College grades

2021 Spring League: 1st place (no appearances)
Fall League: 4th place (did not pitch)
2022 Spring League: 1st place (no appearances)
Fall League: 2nd place (did not pitch)
2023 Spring League: 3rd place (did not pitch)
Fall League: 5th place
2024 Spring League: 4th place
Fall League: 2nd place

*The information in this article is current as of the time of publication (December 2024).