SoftBank Hawks Select Sugimoto Kouki as Prospect
The 26-year-old pitcher was drafted while currently preparing to compete in the Korean Series for KT Wiz.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
Would you prioritize finishing a current local season before joining an international professional team?
Nippon Professional Baseball franchise SoftBank Hawks selected pitcher Sugimoto Kouki as a development player during the rookie draft. The 26-year-old currently plays for KT Wiz in South Korea.
Why it matters
This selection represents a potential career transition for the pitcher, who previously played for the Tokushima Indigo Socks before finding success in the KBO League.
Sugimoto Kouki appeared in 73 games during the 2026 season, pitching 71.6 innings with 66.6 relief innings. He maintained a fastball speed of 150 km/h throughout his campaign.
The players
Sugimoto Kouki
He is a 26-year-old professional pitcher currently playing for KT Wiz in the KBO League.
SoftBank Hawks
This is a professional baseball team that competes in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan.
KT Wiz
This is a professional baseball organization based in South Korea that competes in the KBO League.
Tokushima Indigo Socks
This is a Japanese baseball club where the pitcher played before moving to the Korean league.
The details
Sugimoto Kouki earned the KBO League holder title in 2026 after a season where his team, KT Wiz, finished in first place. He is currently focused on his team's upcoming participation in the Korean Series.
Timeline
Sugimoto Kouki won the KBO holder title during the 2026 season.
The athlete discussed his draft selection on October 27, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The draft selection highlights the ongoing exchange of talent between the KBO League and Nippon Professional Baseball. This move secures rights to a top-performing reliever as KT Wiz continues its push through the 2026 Korean Series.
The acquisition adds a pitcher with 25 season holds to the SoftBank Hawks organizational depth chart. Fantasy observers tracking KBO talent should note his potential departure from the Korean league roster following the conclusion of the Korean Series.
The takeaway
Draft selections from international leagues provide teams with experienced players who have already proven their value in high-pressure environments. Tracking these transitions allows observers to anticipate roster shifts in both the KBO and NPB.
Further reading
For more news on league rosters, visit the Baseball section.
Live Poll
Would you prioritize finishing a current local season before joining an international professional team?
