18-Year-Old Rookie Atsumu Nishikawa Aims to Become First 2007-Born Player to Record a Hit for the Carp

Hiroshima Toyo Carp rookie infielder Atsumu Nishikawa is looking to make history after receiving his first promotion to the team's first squad.

The 18-year-old, selected by Hiroshima in the sixth round of the 2025 NPB Draft, was promoted on August 12 and made his professional debut as a pinch hitter against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Meiji Jingu Stadium.

Nishikawa was born in 2007 and is part of a young generation beginning to make its way into professional baseball. Two other players from the same birth year, Lotte's Sakura and Orix's Kubota, had already made their first-team debuts, but neither had recorded a hit.

Nishikawa now has his sights set on becoming the first player from the 2007-born generation to collect a professional hit.

“I don't want to lose to the players in my generation,” Nishikawa said. “I'd like to get a result before them and pull a little bit ahead.”

His first professional appearance came in the ninth inning of Hiroshima's August 12 game against Yakult. Entering as a pinch hitter, Nishikawa grounded out to the pitcher in his first at-bat.

The following day's game was canceled because of rain, giving Nishikawa an additional opportunity to prepare indoors at Jingu Stadium.

Nishikawa joined Hiroshima from Kamimura Gakuen High School's Iga campus and was regarded as one of the organization's promising young players. He also spent time with the first team during spring training.

His ability to play both middle-infield positions has become particularly valuable for Hiroshima, with the team's depth at shortstop and second base affected by the recent off-field issues surrounding the club.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his promotion, Nishikawa is focused on taking advantage of the opportunity.

“The important thing is whether I can show what I've been working on in the minor leagues,” he said. “If the results come along with that, then that's great.”

Hiroshima will face the Hanshin Tigers in a three-game series at Mazda Stadium beginning August 14, giving Nishikawa another chance to make his mark.

For the young infielder, the goal is simple: trust the work he has already put in, make the most of his opportunities, and become the first 2007-born player to record a professional hit.