Kenichi Nakata

Kenichi Nakata (中田 賢一, born November 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current the fourth squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[1]

Kenichi Nakata
Nakata with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 012
Pitcher / Coach
Born: (1982-11-05) November 5, 1982
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
NPB debut
April 3, 2005, for the Chunichi Dragons
Last NPB appearance
September 19, 2020, for the Hanshin Tigers
NPB statistics
Win–loss record100-79
ERA3.75
Holds16
Saves1
Strikeouts1,350
Teams
As player

As coach

  • Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2022present)
Career highlights and awards

He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, and the Hanshin Tigers.

Early baseball career

Nakata was selected as the Japan national baseball team for the 33rd USA VS Japan Collegiate All-Star Series attending University of Kitakyushu.[2]

Professional career

Chunichi Dragons

Nakata with the Chunichi Dragons

On November 17, 2004, Nakata was drafted by the Chunichi Dragons in the 2004 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.

In 2007 season, he selected 2007 NPB All-Star game. He pitched in the 2007 Japan Series and became the winning pitcher.

In 2010 season, he finished the regular season with a 7–4 Win–loss record, a 2.90 ERA, 105 strikeouts in 118 innings. He pitched in the 2010 Japan Series.

From 2005 season to 2013 season, he recorded a 61-51 Win–loss record, 16 Holds, and 1 saves in the Chunichi Dragons.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

On November 28, 2013, Nakata agreed to a four-year contract for 70 million yen and Incentive with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.[3][4]

In 2014 season, he finished the regular season with a 11–7 Win–loss record, a 4.34 ERA, 116 strikeouts in 139 innings. He pitched in the 2014 Japan Series.

In 2015 season, he finished the regular season with a 9–7 Win–loss record, a 3.24 ERA, 130 strikeouts in 155 1/3 innings. He pitched in the 2015 Japan Series.

On August 26, 2018, he records his 100 wins as a relief pitcher.[5]

Hanshin Tigers

On October 26, 2019, he joined the Hanshin Tigers.[6]

On September 28, 2021, Nakata announced he would retire from professional baseball after 17 seasons in NPB.[7]

After retirement

After his retirement, Nakata was appointed as the third squad pitching coach of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in the 2022 season.[8]

He will serve as the fourth squad pitching coach beginning with the 2023 season.[1]

References

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