Ryukoku University slugger Kuniyuki Kimoto on Tuesday designated the Nippon Ham Fighters as the professional team he wants to be drafted by on Nov. 17.
"(The Fighters) have done me the favor of evaluating me so highly," Kimoto said.
Nippon Ham has indicated that they plan to name Kimoto in the second round of the draft.
Under the Japanese drafting system, players coming out of college or from a corporate league team can designate which team they want to be drafted by under a system known as gyaku-shimei (reverse designation).
Meanwhile, Ritsumeikan University ace Akichika Yamada -- Japan's top collegiate pitcher -- indicated Tuesday he would designate the Daiei Hawks as the team he wants to select him in the draft.