Takahiro Arai's Son Akihiro Declares for NPB Draft After Earning Cleanup Spot at Kwansei Gakuin

Akihiro Arai, the eldest son of Hiroshima Carp manager Takahiro Arai, has taken another step toward his dream of playing professional baseball.

Arai, a fourth-year student at Kwansei Gakuin University, submitted his declaration of eligibility for the NPB draft and is hoping to continue his playing career after graduation.

On September 5, he started at designated hitter and batted cleanup in Kwansei Gakuin's 2-1 victory over Ritsumeikan University in the opening game of the Kansai Student Baseball League's autumn season.

Arai went 1-for-4, with his biggest contribution coming in the fifth inning.

With nobody out and a runner on first, he drove a slider from Ritsumeikan pitcher Gaku Arima into right field, advancing the runner and helping create the opportunity for Kwansei Gakuin's second run.

“I was focused on each at-bat individually. On that particular pitch, my body just reacted. I stepped into the batter's box without overthinking it.”

Arai has taken a somewhat unusual path at Kwansei Gakuin. He first made the team's bench as a third-year student and did not make his collegiate debut until the spring of his senior year.

Despite that late start, he earned the cleanup spot through his performances.

Head coach Masaaki Honjo emphasized that Arai had not been handed the position because of his famous father.

“He earned the cleanup spot through his ability. He was getting results in the preseason games, and he had three hits in his final game.”

Arai himself remains modest about his role in the lineup.

“I don't really think of myself as the fourth hitter. I think of myself as the fourth guy in the lineup.”

Arai began playing baseball at Kwansei Gakuin Junior High School, and one lesson from his father has remained central to his approach at the plate: swing with everything you've got.

That philosophy has stayed with him throughout his baseball career, and he intends to carry it into the professional ranks.

“I want to keep committing to the full swing.”

At 184 centimeters and 85 kilograms, Arai has an imposing frame for a left-handed hitter. His powerful swing is one of the attributes that has helped him establish himself as Kwansei Gakuin's cleanup hitter despite his late emergence.

Before submitting his draft declaration, Arai discussed the decision with his father.

“I talked with my father a little and told him what I was thinking. I'm still far from where I want to be, and honestly, I'm only just barely at the level where I feel it's okay to submit my declaration.”

His coach said Arai is open to any route that allows him to continue playing, whether that means joining an independent league or entering the NPB through a developmental contract.

The connection to Takahiro Arai will inevitably attract attention, but Akihiro is trying to establish his own path.

Now, with his professional ambitions officially declared, he will look to turn his late-blooming collegiate career into an opportunity to pursue baseball at the next level.