1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Hiroto Kobukata's baseball journey began in his early childhood in Sayo, Hyogo Prefecture, leading him through a distinguished amateur career before he entered professional baseball.
1.1. Childhood and Education
Kobukata began playing softball in his first year of elementary school. During his junior high school years, he played as a shortstop for the Sayo Stars, a team affiliated with the Young League.
1.2. High School and University Career
Kobukata attended Kobe Kokusai University High School, where he continued to develop his baseball skills. Despite his efforts, his team did not advance to the prestigious Koshien Tournament, as they were defeated in the second round of the prefectural tournament in his third summer. His high school classmate was Harutaka Kuramoto, who also pursued a professional baseball career.
After high school, Kobukata enrolled at Kinki University. He quickly made an impact, appearing in games from his first spring season. Throughout his university career, he amassed a total of 107 hits in the Kansai Student League. He was recognized for his outstanding performance, earning the Best Nine award three times: in his second spring, and in both his fourth spring and fourth autumn seasons. Despite his collegiate success, Kobukata did not initially submit an application for the professional draft, believing he was not yet at the level required for professional play.
1.3. Corporate League Career and Professional Draft
Following his graduation from university, Kobukata joined the Osaka Gas corporate baseball club. In his rookie year with the team, he played a pivotal role as the starting shortstop in all five games of the 89th Intercity Baseball Tournament, contributing significantly to Osaka Gas's first championship victory in the event. For his exceptional performance, he was awarded the Young Lion Award.
On October 17, 2019, Kobukata was selected as the first-round pick by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in the Nippon Professional Baseball Draft. He officially signed a provisional contract on November 10, agreeing to a contract bonus of 100.00 M JPY and an estimated annual salary of 15.00 M JPY. He was assigned the uniform number 0.
2. Professional Career
Hiroto Kobukata's professional career with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles has been marked by consistent development and a growing impact on the team's performance, season after season.
2.1. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Era
Kobukata has been a prominent infielder for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles since his professional debut in 2020, progressively establishing himself as a key player known for his speed, defensive range, and versatility across multiple positions.
2.1.1. 2020 Season
Kobukata made the Eagles' opening day roster in 2020, a season that saw its start delayed to June 19 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He made his professional debut on June 19 against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, entering the game in the ninth inning as a defensive replacement at shortstop. The following day, June 20, he had his first professional at-bat, hitting a ground ball to second base. In the same game, he recorded his first stolen base in the sixth inning.
On June 30, at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, he hit his first professional single off Daiki Tojo of the Chiba Lotte Marines. His first start came on July 4, playing as the lead-off batter at second base against the Marines. On July 15, in a game against the Saitama Seibu Lions at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, he recorded his first career RBI with a three-run RBI double off Shota Hamaya in the seventh inning with the bases loaded.
As the season progressed, due to Eigoro Mogi's conditioning issues, Kobukata increasingly filled in at shortstop, eventually becoming the team's primary shortstop and often batting in the lead-off position. On September 27, he hit his first professional home run, a solo shot off Wataru Matsumoto of the Seibu Lions at MetLife Dome. He remained a regular fixture throughout the season, playing in 112 games and reaching the qualifying plate appearances threshold. He finished his rookie year with a batting average of .288, ranking sixth in the Pacific League. In the voting for the Best Nine award for shortstops, he received 103 votes, second only to Sosuke Genda's 161. He also earned 125 votes for the Rookie of the Year Award, placing him second behind Kaima Taira (144 votes). At the end of the season, he received the Speed Up Award and signed a new contract with an estimated annual salary of 33.00 M JPY, an increase of 18.00 M JPY.
2.1.2. 2021 Season
In 2021, Kobukata started the opening game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi as the second batter and shortstop, continuing his role as the lead-off shortstop for much of the season. His batting performance was initially sluggish, with an average of .214 before the interleague season, but he found his rhythm during interleague play. On July 5, he was selected for his first All-Star Game appearance as a manager's recommendation.
However, his batting declined again after July, and he also saw an increase in fielding errors compared to the previous year. In September, Takeshi Yamazaki gained more playing opportunities due to Hideto Asamura's absence and impressed. When Asamura returned to the lineup, Yamazaki was promoted to the lead-off shortstop position, leading to Kobukata starting fewer games from the bench. In October, he did not make any starts, primarily appearing as a pinch-runner or pinch-hitter. Nevertheless, in the final game of the season against the Chiba Lotte Marines, he hit a decisive pinch-hit RBI off Chihaya Sasaki in the eighth inning. He concluded the regular season having reached qualifying plate appearances for a second consecutive year, playing in 121 games with a batting average of .248, 3 home runs, and 21 RBIs. After the season, he participated in the Phoenix League, gaining experience as a center fielder in preparation for the postseason. However, the team was defeated in the Climax Series First Stage, and Kobukata made only one pinch-hit appearance. His contract was renewed for an estimated 37.00 M JPY, an increase of 4.00 M JPY.
2.1.3. 2022 Season
For the 2022 season, Kobukata started the opening game against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi as the ninth batter and center fielder. However, with Takeshi Yamazaki having secured the shortstop position, Kobukata spent more time on the bench. On April 21, he started against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, delivering a strong performance with two hits and three RBIs in five at-bats, earning him a hero's interview. This performance helped him reclaim the starting shortstop role, often batting second. He was also selected as an alternate player for the All-Star Game for the second consecutive year.
Throughout the season, Kobukata played both infield and outfield positions. He finished with a batting average of .267, 2 home runs, and 29 RBIs. He also recorded a career-high 21 stolen bases. For the third consecutive year since his rookie season, he reached the qualifying plate appearances. At the end of the season, he received the Speed Up Award for the second time, and his contract was renewed for an estimated 50.00 M JPY, an increase of 13.00 M JPY.
2.1.4. 2023 Season
In 2023, Kobukata started the opening game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at ES CON Field Hokkaido as the second batter and left fielder. While he spent most of his time at second base, he also appeared in a significant number of games as an outfielder and third baseman. However, he made only two appearances at shortstop, both as a substitute, and did not start any games at that position. He primarily batted second in the lineup, but his opportunities in the lead-off spot increased toward the end of the season.
On June 8, in a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi, with the Eagles trailing by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning, two outs, and runners on first and second (a situation partly due to a crucial error by Yuya Ogo), Kobukata hit a dramatic three-run walk-off home run to right field off Atsuki Yuasa. This home run served as a significant catalyst, helping the team rebound from last place to contend for a Climax Series spot. Yuya Ogo, who felt responsible for the deficit, was visibly emotional and shed tears after Kobukata's game-winning hit. Following this event, Ogo also improved his performance and became a regular player, further contributing to the team's recovery. For this impactful play, Kobukata received his first Monthly Sayonara Award for June. He concluded the season having played in 134 games, with a batting average of .258, 5 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases, marking career-highs in home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases. He also achieved his long-standing goal of winning the Stolen Bases Leader title, sharing it with Ukyo Shuto of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
2.1.5. 2024 Season
In the 2024 season, Hiroto Kobukata continued to demonstrate his defensive prowess and offensive contribution, earning both the Best Nine and Golden Glove awards as a second baseman.
3. Player Profile
Hiroto Kobukata is recognized for his dynamic playing style, combining exceptional speed with defensive versatility and a disciplined approach at the plate.
3.1. Playing Style and Strengths
Kobukata possesses outstanding running ability, clocked at a 50-meter dash in 5.9 seconds and a first base run time of 3.78 seconds, showcasing his excellent base-running instincts. His defensive strengths include a wide range and the flexibility to play effectively across all infield positions. At the plate, he is known for his ability to pull inside pitches and his generally sharp batting approach.
3.2. Personal Aspects
Kobukata is affectionately known by the nickname "Kobu-chan" (コブちゃんJapanese). During his time with Osaka Gas, he shared a dormitory room with fellow player Koji Chikamoto. While attending Kinki University, he made an appearance as a demonstrator on the television program "Professional Baseball No.1 Decisive Battle! Battle Stadium." His father operates a barber shop.
4. Achievements and Awards
Hiroto Kobukata has received several significant titles and individual awards throughout his professional career.
4.1. Titles
- Stolen Bases Leader: 1 time (2023)
4.2. Awards
- Best Nine: 1 time (2024, Second Baseman)
- Golden Glove Award: 1 time (2024, Second Baseman)
- Monthly Sayonara Award: 1 time (June 2023)
- Speed Up Award (Batter): 2 times (2020, 2022)
5. Records
Hiroto Kobukata has achieved several notable personal records since his professional debut.
5.1. First Records
- First appearance: June 19, 2020, against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, entering as a shortstop in the 9th inning.
- First at-bat: June 20, 2020, against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, hitting a groundout to second in the 8th inning.
- First stolen base: June 20, 2020, against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, stealing second base in the 6th inning.
- First hit: June 30, 2020, against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, a center field hit in the 7th inning.
- First start: July 4, 2020, against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, starting as the lead-off batter at second base.
- First RBI: July 15, 2020, against the Saitama Seibu Lions at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, a three-run RBI double in the 7th inning.
- First home run: September 27, 2020, against the Saitama Seibu Lions at MetLife Dome, a solo home run to right field in the 7th inning.
5.2. Other Records
- All-Star Game appearances: 3 times (2021, 2022, 2023)
6. Career Statistics
Hiroto Kobukata's professional career statistics are detailed below, current as of the end of the 2024 season.
6.1. Batting Statistics
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | SB | CS | SH | SF | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | DP | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Rakuten | 112 | 437 | 378 | 61 | 109 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 144 | 31 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 2 | 42 | 0 | 4 | 59 | 5 | .288 | .364 | .381 | .745 |
| 2021 | 121 | 455 | 391 | 60 | 97 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 122 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 44 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 1 | .248 | .328 | .312 | .640 | |
| 2022 | 118 | 479 | 424 | 54 | 113 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 145 | 29 | 21 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 6 | .267 | .328 | .342 | .670 | |
| 2023 | 134 | 549 | 477 | 67 | 123 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 158 | 37 | 36 | 6 | 20 | 1 | 48 | 0 | 3 | 83 | 8 | .258 | .329 | .331 | .660 | |
| 2024 | 134 | 522 | 450 | 50 | 103 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 129 | 23 | 29 | 10 | 25 | 3 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 84 | 5 | .229 | .296 | .287 | .582 | |
| Career Total: 5 Years | 619 | 2442 | 2120 | 292 | 545 | 59 | 23 | 16 | 698 | 141 | 108 | 37 | 84 | 10 | 213 | 0 | 15 | 356 | 25 | .257 | .328 | .329 | .657 | |
6.2. Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | Second Base | Third Base | Shortstop | Outfield | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | PO | A | E | DP | FPCT | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPCT | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPCT | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPCT | ||
| 2020 | Rakuten | 21 | 44 | 40 | 1 | 7 | .988 | - | 98 | 113 | 206 | 7 | 34 | .979 | - | ||||||||||
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | - | 109 | 134 | 229 | 12 | 38 | .968 | - | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 95 | 133 | 216 | 10 | 36 | .972 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| 2023 | 77 | 126 | 198 | 6 | 35 | .982 | 46 | 23 | 49 | 7 | 2 | .911 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 30 | 46 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .960 | |
| 2024 | 131 | 308 | 397 | 5 | 87 | .993 | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | - | |||||||||||
| Career Total | 250 | 504 | 662 | 12 | 130 | .990 | 47 | 23 | 49 | 7 | 2 | .911 | 306 | 383 | 654 | 29 | 109 | .973 | 40 | 57 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .968 | |
7. Uniform Numbers
- 0 (2020-present)
8. Walk-up Songs
Hiroto Kobukata has used the following songs as his walk-up music:
- "Hero" by Namie Amuro (2020)
- "I can fly" by RAY (2021-present)