Kenichi Nakata (中田 賢一, born November 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current the first 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. 71 | |
| Pitcher / Coach | |
| Born: 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 record | 100-79 |
| ERA | 3.75 |
| Holds | 16 |
| Saves | 1 |
| Strikeouts | 1,350 |
| Teams | |
| As player
As coach
| |
| 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
editNakata 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
editChunichi Dragons
edit
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
editOn 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
editOn 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
editAfter 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.[9]
On December 2, 2023, he was transferred to the first squad pitching coach.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks press release 2023/12/02 (土) プレスリリース 2024年 コーチングスタッフについて". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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).
- ^ @NPB_Reddit (28 September 2021). "Veteran pitcher Nakata to end 17-year pro career - The Mainichi #npb" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
External links
edit
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Career statistics - NPB.jp (in Japanese)
- 71 Kenichi Nakata PLAYERS2024 - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site
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