Yuki Matsui

Yuki Matsui (松井 裕樹, Matsui Yūki, born October 30, 1995) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Yuki Matsui
Matsui with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1995-10-30) October 30, 1995
Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
NPB debut
April 2, 2014, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record25-46
ERA2.40
Strikeouts860
Saves236
Holds76
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
World Baseball Classic
Gold medal – first place 2023 Miami Team
18U Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2013 Taichung Team
2015 WBSC Premier12
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Tokyo Team

Career

Amateur career

As a pitcher for Toko Gakuen high school, he won a 7–0 victory against Imabari-Nishi high school where he racked up 22 strikeouts.[1] Later on, he struck out 19 batters at Koshien Stadium and won a 7–5 game over Joso Gakuin. He also struck out the same amount in 2005, which ranked him along with Yoshinori Toda in 1963.[2]

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

In October 2013, he was selected by five teams in the 2013 Nippon Professional Baseball draft, with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles winning the rights to negotiate with him.[3] On April 2, 2014 his team scored 7–1 against Orix Buffaloes even though he made only three runs.[4]

On October 11, 2023, Matsui had exercised his international free agent rights to be released from the Golden Eagles to seek a Major League Baseball contract.[5]

International career

He was selected Japan national baseball team at the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup, 2015 exhibition games against Europe, 2015 WBSC Premier12, 2017 World Baseball Classic and 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.

On October 10, 2018, he was selected at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[6]

On October 1, 2019, he was selected at the 2019 WBSC Premier12[7] but on October 21, it was announced that he would not participate due to left elbow discomfort.[8]

Playing style

Matsui is a 5 ft 9 in, 164 lb left-handed pitcher. With an overhand delivery, he throws a fastball averaging 92-93 (tops out at 96 mph[9]),[10] a splitter, and a slider.[11] The splitter is the best off-speed pitch in his arsenal.[12]

References
  1. "Baseball: Japanese teen pitcher strikes out 22 in one game". Chicago Tribune. August 10, 2012. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  2. "Record-breaking Matsui strikes out 19 more". The Japan Times. August 17, 2012. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  3. Nagatsuka, Kaz (October 24, 2013). "Eagles win rights to coveted lefty Matsui". Japan Times. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  4. "Eagles rookie Matsui shelled in debut". Japan Times. April 2, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  5. Connon, Sam (2023-10-11). "Elite Japanese Closer Yuki Matsui to Hit Free Agency, Pursue MLB Contract". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  6. "「2018日米野球」に出場する侍ジャパントップチーム選手全28名が決定". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  7. "「ENEOS 侍ジャパンシリーズ2019」出場選手決定について". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  8. "「ENEOS 侍ジャパンシリーズ2019」、「第2回 WBSC プレミア12」の日本チーム出場選手変更（辞退）について". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  9. "楽天・松井裕樹 驚異の回転数／わがチームの速球王 | 野球コラム".
  10. https://pacificleague.com/news/48212
  11. https://www.mlb.com/news/japanese-players-to-watch-entering-2023-24-offseason
  12. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/yuki-matsui-to-explore-signing-with-mlb-teams.html


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