As we are now officially one month away from the start of the WBSC Premier12, the defending champions, Samurai Japan, have announced their roster for the upcoming tournament this November. They will be led by Hirokazu Ibata, who will be their manager. Here is who will be playing for Samurai Japan in just one month:
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHERS
LEFT-HANDED PITCHERS:
CATCHERS:
INFIELDERS:
OUTFIELDERS:
Many expected to see pitchers Roki Sasaki, Hiroya Miyagi, Kaima Taira, and Shunpeita Yamashita pitching in the Premier12 this November, but all these pitchers will be off the roster. However, they can still be considered favorites for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. As for hitters missing, they will be without 2023 WBC Stars Munetaka Murakami and Kensuke Kondoh. Murakami got injured on the final day of the season, so he will look to get healthy for the 2025 season.
As for the current team, the rotation will be led by Shosei Togo and Hiromi Itoh. Yomiuri Giants pitcher Shosei Togo, 24, threw to a 12-8 record this year, posting a 1.95 ERA in 26 starts, striking out 156 batters in 180 innings of work, and throwing three shutouts. Itoh pitched very well with the Fighters this season, posting a 14-5 record, a 2.65 ERA, striking out 161 batters through 176.1 innings, and firing four shutouts of his own through 26 starts.
Kazuma Okamoto, Chusei Mannami, and Shugo Maki will lead Japan’s offense. Okamoto suited up with World Champion Samurai Japan during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, taking Kyle Freeland deep during the WBC Finals. Playing in 143 games this season, Okamoto crushed 27 home runs and 83 RBIs, carrying a .280 batting average in 143 games.
All eyes will be on right field this November to see the cannon of an arm from outfielder Chusei Mannami. The 24-year-old has had a productive season for the Fighters, hitting .252 in 136 games played, hitting 18 home runs, and driving in 60 RBIs. Mannami had 11 outfield assists and owned a .977 fielding percentage.
Yokohama DeNA Baystars infielder Shugo Maki will be very exciting to watch this November. The 26-year-old is in his fourth professional season in Japan. Maki had a great 2024, with a .942 average, hitting 23 home runs, 74 RBIs, and stealing 11 bases in 133 games. The three-time NPB All-Star also played with Samurai Japan during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he led Japan with two home runs, along with Kazuma Okamoto and Masataka Yoshida.
Samurai Japan will be looking to capture its second Premier12 title after defeating South Korea in the 2019 Championship final. Japan’s quest for a second title will begin on November 13, when they will be hosts to Australia. The game will be played at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Nagoya, Japan, at 5 AM EST.
