Yokohama High School's Oda sticks to his heart: ``I worried a lot'' before the draft - High school baseball

Yokohama High School's Oda, who was expected to be the No. 1 pick by multiple teams at the professional baseball draft meeting held on the 22nd, announced his intention to play in the US Major League Baseball a week before the meeting. "I thought about it a lot, but I still want to be the best in the world." This was the result of putting my own feelings first and sticking with it.

"Determined to take on the challenge" Yokohama High School's Shoki Oda's Q&A

It has wowed baseball fans at Koshien. He played a key role in winning the selection tournament last year, and at this summer's National High School Championship, he threw a fastball of 156 km, breaking the fastest record at the Spring/Summer Koshien Tournament. He also handles a variety of breaking balls, and Megumi Tamura, head of scouting for professional baseball team Hiroshima, described him as ``on the level of someone in 2015 or 2020.''

In September of this year, he participated in the U18 (under 18 years old) Asian Championship as a high school representative from Japan. Although he was runner-up, he was inspired by the performance of top players from overseas. "It was my first time competing with the Japanese flag on my back. I want to play and aim even higher on a stage like this." My yearning for the world has become even stronger.

It is unusual for a highly anticipated high school student who was drafted as the No. 1 player to not play in Japan's professional baseball team and directly challenge the major leagues. He is only 18 years old, and even if he signs a minor league contract, he will have to survive the competition from strong players from countries such as the United States. You may also be confused by the differences in language and systems.

Oda said, ``There may be more advantages to going through NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), but my desire to play on the world's No. 1 stage pushed me forward.I am determined and will take on the challenge.'' Yokohama High School coach Murata looked at the young man who expressed his determination with confidence, saying, ``I want to support him with all my might.''