Naomichi Donoue (堂上 直倫, born September 23, 1988, in Japan) is a coach and former Japanese professional baseball player for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He was a utility infielder and has played at various positions including short stop, third base and second base.

Naomichi Donoue
堂上 直倫
Chunichi Dragons – No. 71
Utility infielder/Coach
Born: (1988-09-23) 23 September 1988 (age 36)
Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
NPB debut
August 3, 2008, for the Chunichi Dragons
Last NPB appearance
October 3, 2023, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.225
Hits476
Home runs34
RBI209
Teams
As player

As coach

  • Chunichi Dragons (2024-Present)

Career

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Donoue was the first draft pick for the Dragons at the 2006 NPB Draft, the same draft class as teammates Takuya Asao and Nobumasa Fukuda.[1]

While mainly used as a utility infielder for the majority of his career, Donoue became the every day starting shortstop for the Dragons in the 2016 season showing great defensive abilities as well as handy form with the bat.

On 28 August 2016, Donoue hit his first career grand slam at the Nagoya Dome against the would-be Central League champion Hiroshima Carp in a 7–5 victory.[2]

Personal

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His father Terashi is a former pro having pitched for the Chunichi Dragons between 1971 and 1985.[3] His elder brother Takehiro is former professional baseball player who played for both the Dragons and the Yomiuri Giants.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "過去のドラフト 第42回(2006年) (Previous Drafts; #42 (2006))". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Marines beat Hawks to end five-game skid". Japan Times. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. ^ "中日ドラゴンズ、堂上剛裕と堂上直倫。父から続く竜との縁。". Middle Edge. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  4. ^ "兄・剛裕は現役引退 将来を嘱望された堂上兄弟に見るプロの世界の厳しさ". Full Count (in Japanese). 20 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
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