Akira Yonemura

Akira Yonemura (米村 明)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.

• School Chuo University
• High School PL Gakuen High School

• Born August 6, 1959 in Yashiro, Kumamoto Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Akira Yonemura played in the Olympics and in Nippon Pro Baseball. His repertoire consisted of a fastball and palmball.

Yonemura was 17-21 in college, then played for Kawai Musical Instruments in the industrial leagues. He pitched for Japan when they won the 1984 Olympics. He was picked by the Chunichi Dragons in the 5th round of the 1984 NPB draft. He allowed 13 hits and 7 runs in 5 innings over 10 games in 1985. In 1986, he was 1-1 with a 2.21 ERA and .229 opponent average in 29 games. The next year, he had a 4-2, 2.40 record and .96 WHIP. Both years, he led Chunichi's staff in ERA.

In 1988, the lefty went 7-4 with a 3.38 ERA. On August 3, he became the first pitcher in NPB history to toss a shutout (versus the Taiyo Whales) in which he allowed a hit in every inning. He struggled after that, though, going 2-2 with a 6.57 ERA and .338 opponent average in 1989 and having a 6.75 ERA in 14 games in 1990. He retired the only batter he faced in 1991.

Overall, Akira had gone 14-9 with a 3.77 ERA in 130 NPB games. He hit well for a pitcher, going 10 for 42 with a double and a homer. After his playing career ended, he scouted for the Dragons.

Source: Japanbaseballdaily.com