JAPAN – Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Yu Darvish was among 11 players who were selected to appear in the upcoming Japan All-Star series by their peers, announced Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) on Thursday. The two-game series will be held at Yahoo Dome and Niigata’s Hard Off Eco Stadium on July 23-24.

Darvish, who is 7-4 with a 1.50 ERA in 14 games, was barely edged out by Softbank Hawks lefty Toshiya Sugiuchi in fan voting, was the top pick for PL pitchers among players for the third year in a row since player balloting was introduced in 2008.

A total of 759 players from the rosters of each NPB squad and farm teams participated in the vote.

Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto led both leagues with 474 votes, while teammate Shinnosuke Abe received 385 votes. Seibu Lions shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima and Lions second baseman Yasuyuki Kataoka were newly selected by the players.

Other players selected by their peers were Rakuten Eagles designated hitter Takeshi Yamasaki, outfielder Teppei Tsuchiya and catcher Motohiro Shima, along with Chunichi Dragons, first baseman Tony Blanco, second baseman Hirokazu Ibata and outfielder Kazuhiro Wada.

The selection of the manager’s choices will be announced on Monday, and the last player will be added on July 14.

Photo courtesy of Nippon Ham Fighters

Tags: NPB Update