The Hiroshima Toyo Carp are gearing up for the 2025 professional baseball season, aiming to reclaim their spot at the top of the league after a challenging 2024. As of March 23, 2025, the team is introducing its roster and looking forward to a fresh start.
Last year, the Carp found themselves in the race for the championship until early September, but a surprising late-season drop-off led them to finish fourth, thereby missing the Climax Series. New manager Takahiro Akimoto, now entering his third year, is keen to lead the team back to the Climax Series for the first time in two years and achieve a league championship not seen since 2018.
One player to watch is the talented shortstop, Yayakoh Yano, who demonstrated remarkable skill last season by playing in 137 games, earning a Golden Glove award. Yano also showed significant improvements in his batting, finishing with a .260 average and enhancing his performance in clutch situations with a .305 batting average with runners in scoring position. With expectations high this year, Yano has switched his jersey number from 61 to 4, signaling his readiness to step up and make an impact both defensively and at the plate.
On the pitching front, Akinobu Morishita is poised to be the team's opening pitcher in 2025. Morishita, now in his fifth professional year, had a rollercoaster season last year. He made 23 starts and achieved a 10-10 record with an impressive ERA of 1.65 at the end of August. However, a downturn during September saw him suffer five straight losses, leading to a final ERA of 6.92 for the month. This season, he aims to establish himself as a reliable ace and maintain his form throughout the year.
As the season opener approaches, anticipation is building for the team to excel not just in pitching, but also in their batting lineup, which is currently their biggest focus. The Carp's offensive production was inconsistent last season, and resolving the scoring power issues is crucial to achieving their championship ambitions.
The players are ramping up their efforts, expecting results from those who have previously struggled. Takehiro Kasada is among those striving to secure a spot in the opening day lineup. Kasada, who was drafted in the third round in 2022, had a stellar rookie year with an ERA of 1.64 across eight games. However, his performance took a hit last season with a change in his pitching mechanics, resulting in a disappointing ERA in the 6s. As a professional in only his third year, Kasada faces pressure to prove his worth and secure his place in the team.
The opening rotation for the Carp is also beginning to take shape. Following Morishita, Yudai Tokoda is expected to pitch in the second game of the season against the Hanshin Tigers on March 29, 2025. Ryoji Ohsera will follow up pitching in the fifth game against the Yakult Swallows on April 2, 2025. The rotation will consist of six pitchers, including Morishita, Tokoda, and Ohsera, potentially bolstered by Tamamura and Domingues.
As the professional baseball season is set to officially begin on March 28, 2025, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp are fully committed to reclaiming the league title they last held seven years ago. The team's open games have shown some promising play, securing 6 wins, 10 losses, and 2 draws, highlighting the need for continued improvement.
Meanwhile, on the individual front, the team is witnessing changes, such as Okito Nakamura, who was demoted to the second team on March 18, 2025, following disappointing results in the open games. Nakamura, who had previously shown great promise during fall camp, is now facing a critical period of adaptation to ensure he makes a successful return to the main squad.
The focus for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp as they enter the season is now clear: enhance their batting capabilities, solidify their pitching rotation, and foster the development of their younger players. With the potential for a thrilling season ahead, fans are eagerly anticipating how the team will perform as they embark on their campaign for the league title and an opportunity to return to the Climax Series.
