NPB Draft prospects Shuto Okumura and Ryosuke Nomura prepare for professional debut

As the NPB Draft approaches on October 22, several standout prospects are preparing for their chance to enter professional baseball in Japan.

Shuto Okumura, a 23-year-old sidearm right-hander, returns to Japan after honing his skills in the United States. Having played for four U.S. colleges and two independent league teams, Okumura aims to become a highly effective relief pitcher. He transitioned to a sidearm delivery to differentiate himself from power pitchers and is currently training to increase his fastball velocity to 145 km/h.

Ryosuke Nomura, a 22-year-old pitcher from Bukkyo University, enters the draft with a strong collegiate record, including a 38-inning scoreless streak and a Best Nine award. A right-handed pitcher capable of reaching 152 km/h, Nomura has expressed a singular focus on turning professional, driven by a desire to honor his family and compete alongside his peers in the professional leagues.