Akira Uehara

Akira Uehara (上原 晃)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 173 lb.

• High School Okinawa Suisan High School

• Born May 16, 1969 in Ginowan, Okinawa Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Akira Uehara pitched eight years in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Uehara was drafted in the third round in the 1987 NPB draft by the Chunichi Dragons. He had a very good debut, going 3-2 with a save and a 2.35 ERA for the 1988 Dragons. He allowed three runs in three innings in the 1988 Japan Series. Uehara faded to 4-5, 4.46 in 1989 and 2-5, 6.85 in 1991.

In 46 games in 1991, the right-handed relief pitcher was 8-4 with a 4.48 ERA and struck out 75 in 76 1/3 innings. He struggled in 1992 (0-3, 8.82, 46 H in 32 2/3 IP, 22 B). He saw scant action in 1993 (1-2, 3.54 in 13 G), 1995 (1-0, 2.63 in 3 G) and 1996 (2 R in 1 IP).

Released by the Dragons, he signed with the Hiroshima Carp for 1997 and Yakult Swallows in 1998 but never made it back out of the minors.

Overall, Uehara was 19-21 with a save and a 4.85 ERA in 138 NPB games.

Source: Japan Baseball Daily by Gary Garland