Seibu Lions Signed Indian Pitcher Akshay More as a Development Player

TOKOROZAWA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 27, 2026--

SEIBU LIONS, INC. (Head Office: Tokorozawa, Saitama; President & CEO: Tsuyoshi Okumura) is pleased to announce that Indian pitcher Akshay More has signed with the club as a development player for the 2026 season as part of the organization's Global Strategy initiative.

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This marks the first time an Indian player has signed a professional contract with a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) club, representing an important milestone for both the Lions and the continued global growth of baseball.

With a 194-cm, 88-kg frame, More possesses outstanding athleticism and delivers from a smooth, repeatable motion. He features a lively fastball that reaches the high 140s km/h, complemented by a sharp forkball. During the club's tryout in June, Lions scouts were highly impressed by his long-term upside. Although he has only six years of baseball experience, his sincere attitude toward the game and commitment to continuous improvement were key factors in the club's decision to sign him as a development player.

Launched in November 2025, the Seibu Lions Global Strategy is designed to identify and develop international talent with the potential to succeed in NPB while expanding the club's global player pipeline. Building on the club's long-standing expertise in player development, the Lions aim not only to strengthen the organization but also to contribute to the continued growth of baseball around the world. More's profile is provided below.

1. Player Profile
Name: Akshay More
Date of Birth: December 4, 2003 (Age 22)
Height / Weight: 194 cm / 88 kg
Nationality: India
Education
• Shri Narayandas Ramdas High School and Junior College
• Lovely Professional University
Position: Pitcher
Throws / Bats: Right / Right
Uniform Number: 146
Professional Experience: —

Player Comment
"I am truly grateful to the Seibu Lions for giving me this incredible opportunity.
I will continue to work hard every day, learn from my teammates and coaches, and do everything I can to contribute to the team's success.
My goal is to become a player our fans can be proud of, and I look forward to growing both as a player and as a person with humility and dedication.
I can't wait to meet everyone soon."

Comment from Koji Hiroike
Executive Director of Baseball Operations
Playing baseball in Japan has always been More’s dream. He uses his height to create exceptional extension. His fastball tops out at 150 km/h, and he features a solid repertoire of offspeed pitches, including a sinker, splitter, changeup, and curveball.
More is an outstanding athlete who finished runner-up at India’s national judo championships. We have also been captivated by his integrity and character.
After performing well in Baseball United—the first professional baseball league in the Middle East and South Asia—he showed great future promise at our tryout in June, which led us to sign him to a developmental contract.
We hope he continues to grow with the Lions and becomes a beacon of hope for baseball players in India.

Akshay More

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former pitcher Chan Ho Park became the first Korean to purchase a stake in a major league club, the second significant addition in the past week to the Athletics' ownership structure as they prepare to move to Las Vegas in 2028.

Park, the first Korean major league player who pitched 17 seasons (1994-2010), going 124-98, also will take on the title of senior adviser to owner John Fisher.

The investment group, Team61, announced Sunday night its investment will total $70 million, of which $55 million is committed with another $15 million if Major League Baseball approves the deal.

Actors Ken Jeong and Daniel Dae Kim also are part of the investment group.

“During my playing career, I introduced Korea to Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball to Korean fans, and I saw firsthand how even a small point of connection can create meaningful change,” Park said in a statement. “Korea is now a baseball powerhouse with outstanding fans and a strong player-development system.

"Through exchanges with Las Vegas, which is opening a new era in Major League Baseball, I hope more opportunities will be created for the next generation of players. We are grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with the Athletics to lift up Korean baseball to the next level.”

Fisher, in a statement, touted the international benefits to the club.

“South Korea is an exciting country for baseball, and we are thrilled to partner with Chan Ho Park and Team61 to support their continued future success,” Fisher said. “Just as he pioneered and broke ground for Korean and Asian baseball players in America, we believe that this partnership with Chan Ho to pioneer Korean ownership in baseball will have long and lasting positive impacts.”

Harbinger Sports Group, which includes former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, announced Thursday that it bought a minority stake in the A's, though details were not released. But Harbinger said it has raised more than $460 million in less than six months.

The A's are building a $2 billion, 33,000-person domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. They are currently playing the second of three planned seasons in West Sacramento, California.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park speaks during a press conference at the Gocheok Sky Dome ahead of a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres for the MLB World Tour Seoul Series in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)