Samurai Japan’s manager Masayoshi Ogura announced his 20-player roster for the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS.
Ogura stated on the Samurai Japan official website that he sought players who could field and run. “I believe pitching will be the key,” he said. “We selected eight pitchers in last year’s BFA Asian Championship, and I thought we needed one more. They will not only pitch, but play multiple positions.”
Reliever Syosuke Syeyoshi got the final out of the Summer Koshien (the Japanese High School Championship) for the Okinawa Shogaku High School. Not all players on the roster participated in the event.
“It’s not mandatory to select only Koshien players. We scouted both the Spring Invitational and the Summer Koshien. We visited various locations, and I believe we did our best to field a talented roster. To maximise each player’s potential, it’s up to us as coaches to create a good atmosphere and get them out on the field. I think the players will get results if they don’t fear the results.”
PITCHERS (9) Genki Ishigaki, Kensin Shimoshige, Shintaro Sakamoto, Raito Okumura, Ikki Nishimura, Daito Nakano, Shota Morishita, Saku Hayase, Ryosuke Sueyoshi.
CATCHERS (3) Toshiya Osakar, Yu Yokoyama, Kaito Fujimori
INFIELDERS (6) Ryota Okumura, Hikaru Tamenaga, Hyuma Okabe, Ryusa Tsuji, Hazuki Takahata, Takumu Imaoka.
OUTFIELDERS (2) Yota Abe, Ao Kawaguchi
Ogura’s staff includes bench coach Osamu Takemoto and assistant coaches Hidenao Sakahara, Kenjii Osumi, Hisashi Shimomura and Okitsugu Nishida.
Japan will practice at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha on August 28 and 29 and at Nishizaki Stadium in Itoman on August 30 before a warm-up game against the University National Team at Okinawa Cellular Stadium on August 31 at 18:00 (local time). Japan will play another friendly on September 1 at 18:00 (local time) at Okinawa Cellular Stadium against the Okinawa Prefecture high school selection.
World No.1 Japan are the defending World Champions and will host the XXXII WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Naha and Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, from September 5 to 14.
Japan will compete in Group A and face No. 12 Cuba, No. 4 Korea, No. 14 Italy, No. 7 Puerto Rico and No. 26 South Africa.
Group B includes No. 10 Australia, No. 9 Panama, No. 19 China, No. 18 Germany, No. 2 Chinese Taipei and No. 3 USA.
