Despite the attention around the MLB stars who will suit up for Samurai Japan at the World Baseball Classic this spring, Hirokazu Ibata¡¯s roster is mostly made up of NPB stars.
Last season¡¯s Central League MVP Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers and 2025 Sawamura Award winner Hiromi Ito from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters are among the 21 players from Japan¡¯s top league who will try to help Japan claim a second consecutive WBC title.?
The official rosters for the tournament were unveiled late last week, and Japan is not the only team bolstered by NPB talent.
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