Naoki Sato leaves SoftBank and reinforces Rakuten in the 2025 draft By Bruna
3 min read
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Former SoftBank outfielder Naoki Sato was selected by Rakuten in the 2025 draft held at Tóquio on Tuesday, December 9. The move marks the departure of all of SoftBank’s first-round picks between 2015 and 2019. Sato, 27, had his best season in 2025, with a .239 batting average, five home runs and 18 RBIs in 104 games. The change aims to strengthen the Rakuten attack, which seeks to compensate for the possible departure of outfielder Ryosuke Tatsumi, now a free agent.
The arrival of Sato to Rakuten is seen as a strategic reinforcement for the 2026 season. The player, formed by Hotoku Gakuen High School, is known for his speed and power with the bat. Sua versatility in the outfield can offer greater tactical flexibility to the team. The draft, held in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) lottery format, also highlighted other moves, but the acquisition of Sato was one of the main highlights.
- Numbers of Sato in 2025: Média of .239, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs, 10 stolen bases.
- Profile: Outfielder right-handed, 27 years old, 178 cm, 85 kg.
- History: Primeira chosen by SoftBank in 2016, now transferred to Rakuten.
Trajectory of Naoki Sato
Sato joined SoftBank in 2016 as the first draft pick from Hotoku Gakuen. Sua career with the team was marked by ups and downs, with emphasis on the 2025 season, when he achieved personal records.
The transfer to Rakuten represents a new opportunity for the player to establish himself as a starter. At SoftBank, he faced stiff competition in the outfield, which limited his playing time in previous seasons.
Impact on Rakuten
Rakuten is looking to reinforce its squad after an irregular season in 2025. The acquisition of Sato could fill the gap left by Ryosuke Tatsumi, whose future remains undefined.
Sato’s speed, with 10 stolen bases in 2025, is a plus for Rakuten’s dynamic style of play. Além Furthermore, his experience in high-pressure games can help the team in decisive moments.
Rakuten’s coach, Hiroshi Fujimoto, praised the outfielder’s arrival, highlighting his ability to adapt. The expectation is that Sato will assume a central role in the lineup from March 2026.
2025 draft moves
The 2025 NPB draft brought other significant changes. Hanshin Tigers drafted slugger Masahiro Tateishi, while Chiba Lotte Marines acquired new talent.
The departure of all of SoftBank’s first-round picks between 2015 and 2019 reflects a shake-up at the club. Jogadores like Junpei Takahashi and Haruto Yoshizumi have retired, while others, like Kaino Hiroshi, remain active in new teams.
Sato is the latest to leave SoftBank, following in the footsteps of Masayoshi Tanaka, now at Nippon-Ham Fighters. The move reinforces the competitiveness of the transfer market in NPB.
The event, held at Mazda Stadium, saw the participation of 38 players in tryouts, including names like Kyuta Kazama, ex-SoftBank.
SoftBank Transfer History
Between 2015 and 2019, SoftBank drafted promising players, but few remained at the club. The departure of Sato closes this cycle, with the outfielder being the last to seek new challenges.
Other former SoftBank players, such as Mizuki Miura and Keisuke Nakata, also found new clubs after being released, showing the dynamics of the Japanese market.
Future of Sato on Rakuten
Naoki Sato arrives at Rakuten with the mission of increasing the team’s offensive performance. Sua .239 batting average in 2025, while not exceptional, reflects consistency in a high-level season.
The player has also demonstrated an ability to steal bases, with 10 hits in 2025, which can be an asset in close games. Rakuten fans hope that Sato replicates the success of other transfers, such as Masayoshi Tanaka, who stood out at Nippon-Ham Fighters. The start of the 2026 season, in March, will be decisive in assessing the impact of Sato on the new club.
Expectations for 2026
The 2026 NPB season promises to be competitive, with teams strengthening their squads. Rakuten, with Sato, seeks to improve its position in Pacific League.
The outfielder will have the chance to face his former team, SoftBank, in games that promise rivalry. Sua adaptation to the new environment will be closely monitored.
