In 129 games for Seibu in 2026, Watabe hit .255 with 12 homers and 48 RBI. His 22 doubles and .380 slugging percentage show extra-base production; improving a .296 on-base percentage is an important next step.
Updated 2026-11-10Watabe attended Koryo High School and Osaka University of Commerce before Seibu selected him in the second round in 2024. The right-handed-hitting outfielder entered professional baseball after university development. His first top-level season in 2025 already included 109 games and 452 plate appearances, rather than only occasional pinch-hitting opportunities.
He produced 110 hits, twelve home runs and a .259 average as a rookie, also collecting sixteen doubles and three triples. Moving from university to Seibu, he quickly received sustained playing time and a substantial number of plate appearances, taking on outfield and lineup work over a professional season.
Five straight first-inning hits and an eight-pitcher relay carried Japan past Hiroshima 5–1. Hiroto Takahashi worked two scoreless innings, while Koki Yamaguchi drove in the opening run.
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Seiya Watabe’s three-run homer and Shinya Hasegawa’s two-run shot powered Japan’s opening exhibition in Miyazaki. Yumeto Kanemaru added four strikeouts over two scoreless innings.
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