Rookie of the Year 2026 predictions: leading candidates (players who meet the eligibility rules)
The table below is reference data compiled by this site, not an official announcement.
Data as of
Players are listed in order of how likely they are seen to win the press vote.
Right-handed relieverLeft-handed starterLeft-handed relieverCatcherInfield
Central League
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| Player | Award rating |
Player rating |
Draft | This season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 工藤 泰成 (Hanshin) | S− | A− | '24 development draft, round 1 | 57 games / 60 innings / ERA 1.05 12 SV / 13 HLD / 80 K |
| 吉田 聖弥 (Chunichi) | A+ | C− | '24 draft, round 2 | 52 games / 48 innings / ERA 2.44 27 HLD / 50 K |
| 木下 里都 (Hanshin) | A− | B− | '24 draft, round 3 | 45 games / 51.1 innings / ERA 1.58 16 HLD / 53 K |
| 竹丸 和幸 (Yomiuri) | A− | D+※ | '25 draft, round 1 | 22 games / 126.2 innings / ERA 3.27 11 W, 9 L / 142 K |
| 浦田 俊輔 (Yomiuri) | B+ | B+ | '24 draft, round 2 | 118 games / 420 AB / AVG .271 36 SB |
| 持丸 泰輝 (Hiroshima) | B+ | C+※ | '19 development draft, round 1 | 102 games / 246 AB / AVG .183 6 HR |
| 勝田 成 (Hiroshima) | B+ | C※ | '25 draft, round 3 | 109 games / 256 AB / AVG .203 5 SB |
| 宮下 朝陽 (DeNA) | C+ | B−※ | '25 draft, round 3 | 71 games / 209 AB / AVG .258 8 HR / 3 SB |
| 片山 皓心 (DeNA) | C+ | B−※ | '25 draft, round 4 | 8 games / 44.1 innings / ERA 2.64 3 W, 2 L / 45 K |
| 神宮 僚介 (Hanshin) | C+ | — | '25 development draft, round 1 | 19 games / 20.1 innings / ERA 2.21 3 HLD / 23 K |
※ Below the qualifying plate appearances / innings pitched (rates can swing more; not shown for relievers)
Definitions and how the thresholds are computed (overview page)
Pacific League
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| Player | Award rating |
Player rating |
Draft | This season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 前田 悠伍 (SoftBank) | S+ | A+※ | '23 draft, round 1 | 19 games / 111.2 innings / ERA 2.10 12 W, 1 L / 95 K |
| 篠原 響 (Seibu) | S− | C+ | '24 draft, round 5 | 46 games / 44.2 innings / ERA 2.22 1 SV / 31 HLD / 50 K |
| 九谷 瑠 (Rakuten) | A− | B− | '25 draft, round 6 | 39 games / 41.2 innings / ERA 1.94 16 HLD / 44 K |
| 小島 大河 (Seibu) | B+ | B+※ | '25 draft, round 1 | 99 games / 341 AB / AVG .267 9 HR |
| 庄子 雄大 (SoftBank) | B+ | C+※ | '24 draft, round 2 | 108 games / 266 AB / AVG .244 1 HR / 22 SB |
| 山中 稜真 (ORIX) | B | D−※ | '24 draft, round 4 | 92 games / 316 AB / AVG .259 2 HR / 2 SB |
| 岩城 颯空 (Seibu) | B | D− | '25 draft, round 2 | 31 games / 30.2 innings / ERA 3.52 18 SV / 2 HLD / 31 K |
| YG安田 (Rakuten) | B− | D+※ | '21 draft, round 2 | 72 games / 243 AB / AVG .280 8 HR |
| 平良 竜哉 (Rakuten) | B− | C※ | '22 draft, round 5 | 98 games / 249 AB / AVG .241 9 HR / 12 SB |
| 鈴木 豪太 (SoftBank) | B− | B− | '25 draft, round 3 | 40 games / 46.2 innings / ERA 1.74 5 HLD / 40 K |
※ Below the qualifying plate appearances / innings pitched (rates can swing more; not shown for relievers)
Definitions and how the thresholds are computed (overview page)
How many years after joining is a player eligible?
The main eligibility rules for NPB Rookie of the Year: within five years of first roster registration, and through the previous season no more than 30 career innings pitched (pitchers) or 60 career plate appearances (batters) in the top league. Because usage is counted through the prior season, players developed on the farm remain eligible in their second or later seasons.
Eligibility is not the award itself: winners are chosen by a vote of baseball writers, and in years without a standout rookie no award may be given. The official NPB awards rules are authoritative.
Frequently asked questions
What are the eligibility rules for NPB Rookie of the Year?
Within five years of first roster registration, and through the previous season no more than 30 career innings (pitchers) or 60 plate appearances (batters) in the top league. The official NPB awards rules are authoritative.
Can a player win in his second season or later?
Yes - if within five years of registration and prior top-league usage is under the thresholds. Farm-developed players have won this way.
How many years after joining is a player still eligible?
Within five years of first roster registration. If, through the previous season, a player has no more than 30 career innings pitched (pitchers) or 60 career plate appearances (batters), he can qualify even in his second or later season.
Who selects the Rookie of the Year?
Baseball writers, by vote - one per league, with no award possible in weak rookie years.
Who is predicted to win Rookie of the Year in 2026?
The leading eligible Rookie of the Year candidates for 2026 are 工藤 泰成 (Hanshin) in the Central League and 前田 悠伍 (SoftBank) in the Pacific League (as of Oct 8, 2026). The winners are chosen by a vote of baseball writers.