May 2026 "SMBC Trust Bank Farm Monthly MVP Award" Winning Players

The winners of the "SMBC Trust Bank Farm Monthly MVP Award"* for May have been decided in the three districts of the Professional Baseball Farm League, and the awards ceremony was held.

<Eastern District Winning Player>

Chiba Lotte Marines

Yuya Sakurai

Infielder

Stats: 19 games, .316 batting average, 24 hits, 0 home runs, 13 RBIs, .478 batting average with runners in scoring position.

In May, Sakurai played in 19 games, recording 24 hits (top in the district), 7 doubles, 13 RBIs, a .478 batting average with runners in scoring position, and a .316 batting average (2nd in the district). He contributed to victories with 3 hits and 3 RBIs in the game against Tokyo Yakult on the 14th, including a go-ahead double. On the 29th, in the game against Hiroshima Toyo Carp, he had 4 hits and 2 RBIs. As a high school rookie, he started all 18 games he played in as the cleanup hitter and third baseman, showing the team's high expectations. He demonstrated his hitting prowess in crucial situations, hinting at future success.

<Central District Winning Player>

Saitama Seibu Lions

Yuuta Nakami

Outfielder

Stats: 21 games, .288 batting average, 21 hits, 5 home runs, 18 RBIs.

In May, Nakami played in 21 games and achieved excellent results, including 5 home runs (top in the district), 18 RBIs, and a .562 slugging percentage (2nd in the district). He hit for extra bases in 10 of his 21 games, fully demonstrating his power. He marked 4 clutch hits during the month (1 go-ahead hit, 1 first-blood hit, 1 come-from-behind hit, 1 tying hit), shining with his clutch performance in key moments. Notably, in the game against Oisix Niigata on the 5th, he had 3 hits in 3 at-bats, including a home run, with 4 RBIs, showing his presence as the core of the batting lineup.

<Western District Winning Player>

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

Ryuta Hirose

Infielder

Stats: 15 games, .365 batting average, 19 hits, 0 home runs, 10 RBIs, .519 slugging percentage.

In May, Hirose played in 15 games and achieved excellent results, including a .365 batting average (top in the district), .519 slugging percentage, .485 on-base percentage, 19 hits (tied for 2nd in the district), and 10 RBIs (4th in the district). He displayed outstanding hitting skills, getting at least one hit in 13 of his 15 games (multiple hits in 5 games). He also drew 13 walks (tied for 2nd in the district) and reached base in all 15 games he played. Furthermore, he showed his power by hitting 8 doubles (top in the district), and with his innate hitting sense, he greatly contributed to the team's winning record for the month.

*About the "SMBC Trust Bank Farm Monthly MVP Award"

The "SMBC Trust Bank Farm Monthly MVP Award" is an award presented by the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) each month to one player from each of the three districts of the Farm League who has achieved excellent results and is expected to make a leap forward. SMBC Trust Bank hopes that through this award, more fans will become aware of the promising players in the farm system who are expected to grow in the future, and that this will contribute to the development of professional baseball as a whole.

<Special Website>

https://www.smbctb.co.jp/farm-monthly-mvp/

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