Shōya Yamamoto (山本 翔也, Yamamoto Shōya; born October 12, 1988 in Takefu, Fukui) is a Japanese Nippon Professional…Shōya Yamamoto (山本 翔也, Yamamoto Shōya; born October 12, 1988 in Takefu, Fukui) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Central League.
Tatsuya Oishi (大石 達也, Ōishi Tatsuya; born October 10, 1988 in Dazaifu, Fukuoka) is a Japanese former professional…Tatsuya Oishi (大石 達也, Ōishi Tatsuya; born October 10, 1988 in Dazaifu, Fukuoka) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and current coach for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Yuki Yanagita (柳田 悠岐, Yanagita Yūki; born October 9, 1988 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan), nicknamed "Gita (ギータ)" and…Yuki Yanagita (柳田 悠岐, Yanagita Yūki; born October 9, 1988 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan), nicknamed "Gita (ギータ)" and sometimes condescendingly referred to as "Japan's Mike Trout" in English-speaking reports of baseball in Japan, is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He is an eleven-time All-Star and a two-time Pacific League MVP, earning those honors in 2015 and 2020. Yanagita is recognized as one of the most successful players in NPB since the 21st century, based on his accomplishments both team and individual, including seven Japan Series championships, four-time Japan Series MVP, two-time Pacific League MVP and five-time OPS leader.
Tsuyoshi Ueda (上田 剛史, Tsuyoshi Ueda; born July 22, 1988 in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan) is a Zainichi Korean…Tsuyoshi Ueda (上田 剛史, Tsuyoshi Ueda; born July 22, 1988 in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan) is a Zainichi Korean former professional baseball outfielder. An ethnic Korean, his birth name is Hanja: 周剛史. On December 2, 2020, he become free agent.
Ryota Fujii (藤井 亮太, Fujii Ryota; born September 30, 1988) is a Japanese baseball player for the CITYLIGHT OKAYAMA. He…Ryota Fujii (藤井 亮太, Fujii Ryota; born September 30, 1988) is a Japanese baseball player for the CITYLIGHT OKAYAMA. He has played for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). On December 2, 2020, he become free agent.
Yūdai Ōno (大野 雄大, born September 26, 1988, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Yūdai Ōno (大野 雄大, born September 26, 1988, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Naomichi Donoue (堂上 直倫, born September 23, 1988, in Japan) is a coach and former Japanese professional baseball player…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.
Fumikazu Kimura (木村 文紀, Kimura Fumikazu; born September 13, 1988 in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese former…Fumikazu Kimura (木村 文紀, Kimura Fumikazu; born September 13, 1988 in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Takahiro Shiomi (塩見 貴洋, born September 6, 1988, in Moriguchi, Osaka) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for…Takahiro Shiomi (塩見 貴洋, born September 6, 1988, in Moriguchi, Osaka) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Taichi Ishiyama (石山 泰稚, Ishiyama Taichi; born September 1, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Taichi Ishiyama (石山 泰稚, Ishiyama Taichi; born September 1, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Takayuki Kajitani (梶谷 隆幸, Kajitani Takayuki; born August 28, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Takayuki Kajitani (梶谷 隆幸, Kajitani Takayuki; born August 28, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2007 to 2024 for the Yokohama BayStars/Yokohama DeNA BayStars and Yomiuri Giants.
Yu Yamamoto (山本優, Yamamoto Yū, born 20 August 1988) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer…Yu Yamamoto (山本優, Yamamoto Yū, born 20 August 1988) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal.
Yūto Morikoshi (森越 祐人, Morikoshi Yūto; born August 11, 1988 in Inazawa, Aichi) is a retired Japanese professional…Yūto Morikoshi (森越 祐人, Morikoshi Yūto; born August 11, 1988 in Inazawa, Aichi) is a retired Japanese professional infielder.
Shota Kurosawa (黒沢 翔太, Kurosawa Shōta; born August 5, 1988 in Chichibu, Saitama) is a Japanese professional baseball…Shota Kurosawa (黒沢 翔太, Kurosawa Shōta; born August 5, 1988 in Chichibu, Saitama) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played from 2013 to 2017.
Kenichi Marumo (丸毛 謙一, Marumo Ken'ichi) (born August 2, 1988) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player. He…Kenichi Marumo (丸毛 謙一, Marumo Ken'ichi) (born August 2, 1988) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player. He spent three seasons with the Yomiuri Giants organization before signing with the Orix Buffaloes, where he spent two seasons. He made his only Nippon Professional Baseball first-team appearance for Orix in March 2014, before retiring due to injury during the 2015 season.
Zhu Dawei (simplified Chinese: 朱大卫; traditional Chinese: 朱大衛; pinyin: Zhū Dàwèi; born 25 July 1988 in Shanghai, China)…Zhu Dawei (simplified Chinese: 朱大卫; traditional Chinese: 朱大衛; pinyin: Zhū Dàwèi; born 25 July 1988 in Shanghai, China) is a Chinese baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions. He was a member of the China national baseball team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
Nobumasa Fukuda (福田永将, Fukuda Nobumasa; born July 23, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and…Nobumasa Fukuda (福田永将, Fukuda Nobumasa; born July 23, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and current coach for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for Chunichi from 2007 to 2023.
Yodai Enoshita (榎下 陽大, Enoshita Yōdai) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on July 21, 1988. He…Yodai Enoshita (榎下 陽大, Enoshita Yōdai) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on July 21, 1988. He debuted in 2011. He had 9 strikeouts in 2013.
Yusuke Uemura (植村 祐介, Uemura Yūsuke) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on July 7, 1988. He…Yusuke Uemura (植村 祐介, Uemura Yūsuke) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on July 7, 1988. He debuted in 2008. He had 12 strikeouts in 2012.
Shota Koike (小池 翔大, Koike Shota) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher. He was born on June 24, 1988. He is…Shota Koike (小池 翔大, Koike Shota) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher. He was born on June 24, 1988. He is currently playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB.
Yuta Omine (大嶺 祐太, Ōmine Yūta; born June 16, 1988 in Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball…Yuta Omine (大嶺 祐太, Ōmine Yūta; born June 16, 1988 in Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball player. He previously played for 14 years with the Chiba Lotte Marines. His younger brother Shota was also a professional baseball player for the Marines. On 9 December 2021, it was confirmed Omine would be signing a development contract with the Chunichi Dragons after his release from the Marines.
Yuki Saito (斎藤 佑樹, Saitō Yūki; born June 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played 11…Yuki Saito (斎藤 佑樹, Saitō Yūki; born June 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played 11 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Saito rose to national stardom as a senior for Waseda Jitsugyo High School when he led the team to a title in the 88th National High School Baseball Championship in 2006. He was given the nickname The Handkerchief Prince (ハンカチ王子, Hankachi Ōji) by the Japanese media for his use of a handkerchief to wipe sweat from his face while on the mound and is also often referred to as Yū-chan (佑ちゃん, Yū-chan).
Shota Ishimine (伊志嶺 翔大, born May 12, 1988) is a professional baseball outfielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the…Shota Ishimine (伊志嶺 翔大, born May 12, 1988) is a professional baseball outfielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League in Nippon Professional Baseball. Ishimine attended Tokai University. He competed for the Japanese national baseball team in the 2010 World University Baseball Championship, being named an All-Tournament outfielder, along with Mikie Mahtook and Yoenis Céspedes.
Tatsuyoshi Masubuchi (増渕 竜義, Masubuchi Tatsuyoshi; born May 3, 1988 in Sōka, Saitama, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Tatsuyoshi Masubuchi (増渕 竜義, Masubuchi Tatsuyoshi; born May 3, 1988 in Sōka, Saitama, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
Daijiro Tanaka (田中 大二郎, Tanaka Daijirō; born April 29, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball first baseman…Daijiro Tanaka (田中 大二郎, Tanaka Daijirō; born April 29, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball first baseman who played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Giants in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Fumiya Araki (Japanese 荒木 郁也; born 25 April 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder who currently plays for…Fumiya Araki (Japanese 荒木 郁也; born 25 April 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder who currently plays for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Ko Shimozuru (下水流 昂, Shimozuru Ko; born April 23, 1988) is a former professional Japanese baseball player. He was an…Ko Shimozuru (下水流 昂, Shimozuru Ko; born April 23, 1988) is a former professional Japanese baseball player. He was an outfielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Tatsushi Masuda (増田 達至, Masuda Tatsushi; born April 23, 1988 in Hyōgo, Hyōgo, Japan) is a former Japanese professional…Tatsushi Masuda (増田 達至, Masuda Tatsushi; born April 23, 1988 in Hyōgo, Hyōgo, Japan) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He previous plays for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Shogo Akiyama (秋山 翔吾, Akiyama Shōgo; Japanese pronunciation: [akiꜜjama ɕoꜜːɡo], born April 16, 1988) is a Japanese…Shogo Akiyama (秋山 翔吾, Akiyama Shōgo; Japanese pronunciation: [akiꜜjama ɕoꜜːɡo], born April 16, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and in NPB for the Saitama Seibu Lions.
Takahiro Matsunaga (松永 昂大, Matsunaga Takahiro) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He was born on April 16…Takahiro Matsunaga (松永 昂大, Matsunaga Takahiro) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He was born on April 16, 1988. He is currently playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB. On October 10, 2018, he was selected to be part of the Japan national baseball team at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, but on November 1, 2018, he canceled his participation. On February 27, 2019, he was selected for Japan national baseball team at the 2019 exhibition games against Mexico.
Tsubasa Aizawa (會澤 翼, Aizawa Tsubasa; born April 13, 1988 in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese professional…Tsubasa Aizawa (會澤 翼, Aizawa Tsubasa; born April 13, 1988 in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He was selected 2018 NPB All-Star game.
Ayumu Ishikawa (石川 歩, Ishikawa Ayumu; born April 11, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Twins…Ayumu Ishikawa (石川 歩, Ishikawa Ayumu; born April 11, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Twins Oosterhout of the Netherlands' Honkbal Hoofdklasse. He previously played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Kenta Maeda (前田 健太, Maeda Kenta; born April 11, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku…Kenta Maeda (前田 健太, Maeda Kenta; born April 11, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers, and in NPB for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Maeda debuted with the Carp in 2008. He won the Eiji Sawamura Award in 2010 and 2015. After the 2015 season, the Carp posted Maeda to MLB and he signed an eight-year contract with the Dodgers. The Dodgers traded Maeda to the Twins before the 2020 season, and he signed a two-year contract with the Tigers before the 2024 season. After struggling in his first season, Detroit released him in May 2025.
Hirokazu Sawamura (澤村 拓一, Sawamura Hirokazu; born April 3, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He…Hirokazu Sawamura (澤村 拓一, Sawamura Hirokazu; born April 3, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants and Chiba Lotte Marines, and in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 212 pounds (96 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
Ryōsuke Hirata (平田 良介, Hirata Ryōsuke; born March 23, 1988 in Jōtō-ku, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese professional…Ryōsuke Hirata (平田 良介, Hirata Ryōsuke; born March 23, 1988 in Jōtō-ku, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder. He last played for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Dragons over a 16-year period. He is currently an outfield defense and baserunning coach for the Dragons.
Bruno Hirata Kaimoti (born March 13, 1988) is a Brazilian baseball catcher. He plays for the Toshiba club in the…Bruno Hirata Kaimoti (born March 13, 1988) is a Brazilian baseball catcher. He plays for the Toshiba club in the Japanese Industrial League. He represented Brazil at the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup and the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Ginji Akaminai (赤見内 銀次, Akaminai Ginji; born February 24, 1988), known mononymously as Ginji (銀次), is a former Japanese…Ginji Akaminai (赤見内 銀次, Akaminai Ginji; born February 24, 1988), known mononymously as Ginji (銀次), is a former Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Yuya Fukui (福井 優也, Fukui Yuya; born February 8, 1988 in Aida District, Okayama, Japan) is a former professional…Yuya Fukui (福井 優也, Fukui Yuya; born February 8, 1988 in Aida District, Okayama, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball player.
Yukiyo Mine (峰 幸代, Mine Yukiyo; born 26 January 1988 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a catcher.…Yukiyo Mine (峰 幸代, Mine Yukiyo; born 26 January 1988 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a catcher. She won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Kei Hosoya (細谷 圭, born January 17, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who is currently a coach…Kei Hosoya (細谷 圭, born January 17, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who is currently a coach for the Toyama GRN Thunderbirds of Baseball Challenge League. He played in his entire career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Kento Yachi (矢地 健人, born January 15, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in the Nippon…Kento Yachi (矢地 健人, born January 15, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in the Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Chunichi Dragons from 2010 to 2013 and with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2015.
Masanori Fujihara (藤原 正典, Fujihara Masanori; born January 14, 1988 in Ibigawa, Gifu) is a Japanese former professional…Masanori Fujihara (藤原 正典, Fujihara Masanori; born January 14, 1988 in Ibigawa, Gifu) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball from 2010 to 2013.
Ryoichi Adachi (安達 了一, Adachi Ryōichi; born January 7, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He…Ryoichi Adachi (安達 了一, Adachi Ryōichi; born January 7, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2012 to 2024 for the Orix Buffaloes.
Ryuichiro Akada (赤田 龍一郎, Akada Ryūichirō; born January 7, 1988 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a former professional…Ryuichiro Akada (赤田 龍一郎, Akada Ryūichirō; born January 7, 1988 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball player. He is employed as a bullpen catcher for the Chunichi Dragons. His eyes are of a blue tinge due to American heritage through his grandfather.
Masaru Saito (齊藤 勝, Saitō Masaru) (born January 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played…Masaru Saito (齊藤 勝, Saitō Masaru) (born January 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2013 to 2014.
Yutaka Otsuka (大塚 豊, Ōtsuka Yutaka) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He was born on December 20, 1987, in…Yutaka Otsuka (大塚 豊, Ōtsuka Yutaka) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He was born on December 20, 1987, in Tokyo, Japan. He is currently playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the NPB.
Hidekazu Kawano (河野 秀数, Kawano Hidekazu) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He played two seasons with…Hidekazu Kawano (河野 秀数, Kawano Hidekazu) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He played two seasons with Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in 2013 and 2014. He was born on December 14, 1987. He debuted in 2013. He had 24 strikeouts.
Kenichi Tagami (田上 健一, Tagami Kenichi; born December 12, 1987) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in…Kenichi Tagami (田上 健一, Tagami Kenichi; born December 12, 1987) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Hanshin Tigers from 2010 to 2015.
Tatsuo Kinoshita (木下 達生, born November 28, 1987) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Nippon…Tatsuo Kinoshita (木下 達生, born November 28, 1987) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2006 and 2007 and the Chunichi Dragons in 2011.
