Overview
The farm system in NPB refers to the organizational structure for player development below the top team. All 12 NPB clubs maintain a second-tier (ni-gun) team, competing in the Eastern or Western League. The farm serves three primary functions: developing draft picks through competitive game experience, rehabilitating injured players returning to form, and providing playing time for depth players to maintain readiness. Unlike MLB's minor leagues, which operate as semi-independent affiliates, NPB farms are directly managed by parent clubs, enabling more fluid player movement between levels. The introduction of the developmental draft (ikusei draft) has elevated the farm's strategic importance, as developmental contract players increasingly earn roster spots and become impact contributors at the top level.