Hiroshima Carp Rookie Atsumu Nishikawa Makes First Career Start at Just 18 Years Old, Surpassing Maeda and Suzuki

Hiroshima Carp rookie Atsumu Nishikawa has been given his first professional start, batting ninth and playing shortstop against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome on August 21.

Nishikawa, who was selected by Hiroshima in the sixth round of the 2025 NPB Draft, has only recently made his first-team debut.

The 18-year-old was promoted to the first team on August 12 and made his professional debut as a pinch-hitter against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows that same day.

Six days later, on August 18 against the Chunichi Dragons, Nishikawa recorded his first professional hit, lining a single to right field in his third career plate appearance.

Now he has taken another major step by entering the starting lineup for the first time.

Born on December 28, 2007, Nishikawa is just 18 years and eight months old.

That makes his first start particularly significant in Hiroshima history.

Several famous Carp players who came out of high school made starts during their first professional season, including franchise legends such as Tomonori Maeda and Seiya Suzuki, as well as Hiroyuki Tohoku and Hayato Kozono.

However, Nishikawa is being given his first start at an even younger age than those players.

Nishikawa originally joined Hiroshima from Kamimura Gakuen High School, where he developed as an infielder. He was considered one of the organization's promising young players and participated in the Carp's first-team spring training camp this year despite being only 18.

His promotion to the first team came at a time when Hiroshima needed additional options in the middle infield.

Now, after making his debut and recording his first hit, Nishikawa has quickly earned an opportunity to show what he can do from the beginning of a game.

The decision to start him also comes under unusual circumstances.

The Carp played a night game against Chunichi on August 20 and then had to travel before facing the Giants the following day. Veteran second baseman Ryosuke Kikuchi was left out of the starting lineup in an effort to reduce his workload.

That created an opportunity for the young Nishikawa to step in.

The Carp also entered the game looking for their first four-game winning streak of the season, adding even more importance to the matchup.

For Nishikawa, however, the situation is much simpler.

After making his first appearance, getting his first hit and now making his first start—all within just ten days—he has suddenly become one of the most intriguing young players on the Hiroshima roster.

At only 18 years old, he is already making Carp history.

The next question is whether Nishikawa can turn his historic first start into his first big performance as a professional.