One of the most iconic segments on Fuji TV’s sports program “Sporut!” is
“NPB: Best of the Best (100 Players’ Vote)”.
What makes this project special is its credibility:
- ✅ 100 active NPB players vote anonymously
- ✅ Rankings are based on real in-game matchups, not fan opinions or stats
For the 2025 season, voting was conducted across five categories, revealing evaluations that only players themselves can truly understand.
Complete Results: 2025 NPB “Best of the Best”
| Category | No.1 Player (Team) | Key Evaluations & Player Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Breaking Pitch | Eito Tanaka (Yomiuri Giants) — Shoot | First-ever No.1 finish for a shoot (12 votes). “It breaks in like a lefty cutter—absolutely unfair.” Runner-up: Tatsuya Imai (Seibu, slider). |
| Fastball | Shunpeita Yamashita (Orix Buffaloes) | Notable improvement after switching to a short-arm delivery. Velocity, angle, and life are on another level. Runner-up: Hiromi Itoh (Fighters), Shinya Matsuyama (Dragons). |
| Hitting | Kensuke Kondo (SoftBank) & Teruaki Sato (Hanshin) | Tied for No.1 (21 votes). Kondo: “pure technique.” Sato: “otherworldly power.” Two completely different styles, same elite impact. |
| Base Running | Ukyo Shuto (SoftBank Hawks) | “Not human,” “First base is already scoring position.” A runaway No.1 with no debate. |
| Defense | Masaya Yano (Hiroshima Carp) | “Like a ninja,” “his glove has punch.” Defensive instincts and flair earned overwhelming praise—his signature perm even got mentions. |
What the 2025 Results Tell Us
🔍 Player Evaluation Goes Beyond Numbers
The defining feature of this project is its focus on feel, not statistics.
Players emphasize:
- Pitch quality
- Psychological pressure
- Fear factor
- Split-second decision-making
These are elements no stat sheet can fully capture.
🔴 SoftBank Hawks’ Dominant Presence
SoftBank players claimed two position-player crowns:
- Hitting: Kensuke Kondo
- Base Running: Ukyo Shuto
From a player’s perspective, SoftBank’s overall polish and completeness clearly stand out.
⚾ Pitching Is the Era of Individuality
- Eito Tanaka winning with a shoot—a historic first
- Shunpeita Yamashita gaining elite recognition after a mechanical overhaul
Rather than conventional metrics, pitchers with unique, irreplaceable weapons are earning top respect.
What Is “NPB Best of the Best”? (For New Readers)
- A popular segment on Fuji TV’s “Sporut!”
- 100 active NPB players vote anonymously
- Categories change every year, revealing current league trends
- The biggest appeal: raw, professional honesty, not fan sentiment
For the latest clips and full player comments, check:
- 📺 Sporut! broadcasts
- 📱 Official social media channels
Final Thoughts | 2025 Highlighted the Reality of Elite Talent
The 2025 NPB Best of the Best results showcased:
- Greatness that statistics alone can’t explain
- Fear and respect felt only between competitors
- A clear snapshot of modern Japanese professional baseball
What categories will appear next year?
And who will rise as the next true No.1?
One thing is certain — this series remains must-watch for anyone who wants to understand baseball through the eyes of the players themselves.
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