2014 Nippon Professional Baseball draft


The 2014 Nippon Professional Baseball Draft was held on 23 October at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa to assign amateur baseball players to the NPB. It was arranged with the special cooperation of Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. with official naming rights. The draft was officially called "The Professional Baseball Draft Meeting supported by Lipovitan D".

Summary

As of the 2008 Draft, High School, University and Industrial League players could be selected at the same time whereas previous to 2008, separate drafts were held for each level of player.
As with the previous year, Taisho Pharmaceuticals was the special partner with naming rights. The Draft was named "The 2014 Professional Baseball Draft Meeting supported by Lipovitan D." Lipovitan D is one of Taisho's main brands.
Only the first round picks were allowed to be contested with all picks from the second round onward being based on table placing in the 2014 NPB season in a waiver system. From the third round the order was reversed continuing in the same fashion until all picks were exhausted. The Draft waiver priority was decided upon the winners of the 2014 NPB All-Stars game, but as the series ended 1-1 preference was based on point difference between the Central and Pacific Leagues where the former had a higher differential.
In total, 81 players were signed to professional contracts including 46 pitchers, 7 catchers, 17 infielders and 11 outfielders with 23 development players also signed.

First Round Contested Picks

Pacific League

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

Orix Buffaloes

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

Chiba Lotte Marines

Saitama Seibu Lions

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

Central League

Yomiuri Giants

Hanshin Tigers

Hiroshima Carp

Chunichi Dragons

Yokohama DeNA Baystars

Tokyo Yakult Swallows