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 (2022–present)
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
  1. "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks press release 2022/11/28(月) プレスリリース 2023年コーチングスタッフについて(2022年11月28日現在)". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). November 28, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  2. "第33回 日米大学野球選手権大会 オールジャパンメンバー". All Japan University Baseball Federation Official site (in Japanese). Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  3. "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ＦＡ中田賢ソフトＢ入り 地元愛で決めた". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 29, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  4. "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトＢ中田2500万増の9500万でサイン". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). December 16, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  5. "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク劇勝で中田100勝「目の前の仕事を」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). August 26, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  6. "Yahoo Japan (Japanese) ソフトバンク 中田の阪神移籍を発表「地元福岡で6年間…野球人生の中ですごく幸せな日々でした」" (in Japanese).
  7. @NPB_Reddit (28 September 2021). "Veteran pitcher Nakata to end 17-year pro career - The Mainichi #npb" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks team's news 2021/11/03(水) 球団 髙谷コーチ、中田コーチ、城所コーチが就任会見". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). November 3, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
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