Yugo Maeda targets WBC and Olympic selection after national team omission

SoftBank Hawks pitcher Yugo Maeda has expressed his ambition to join the Japanese national team for major international tournaments such as the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the Olympics, following his exclusion from the roster for the upcoming Lagzus Asia Professional Baseball Championship 2026.

Maeda, a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher, had a breakout season with a 12-1 record and a 2.10 ERA. While he met the eligibility criteria for the Asia Championship—which focuses on players aged 24 or younger or those in their first three years of professional play—his omission is viewed as a strategic decision to prioritize his preparation for the upcoming postseason and long-term development.

Maeda stated that while he desires to represent Japan, he aims to earn a spot in competitions without age or service-year restrictions. He noted, “If I continue to produce good results, I believe I will be selected.”