Eiichi Koyano

Eiichi Koyano (小谷野栄一)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 182 lb.

• School Soka University
• High School Soka High School

• Born October 10, 1980 in Koto, Tokyo Japan

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Biographical Information

Eiichi Koyano is an infielder in Japan.

Koyano was a teammate of Daisuke Matsuzaka in the Senior League while in high school. In college, he hit .343. The Nippon Ham Fighters chose him in the 5th round of the 2002 NPB draft. In the minor Eastern League in 2003, he led the circuit in hits. He made his Nippon Pro Baseball debut that year, going 1 for 8 with a walk. He was only 3 for 33 with 2 walks and a double in 2004 as a backup second baseman for Nippon Ham.

Koyano was a backup, primarily at 1B and LF, in 2005, hitting .232/.270/.368 in 48 games. He went 3 for 21 with 2 walks in 2006; he battled panic attacks through that campaign.

In 2007, Koyano batted .253/.289/.332 while getting a regular role at third base. He was 0 for 10 in the 2007 Japan Series and made at least one run-scoring error. He batted .251/.303/.359 in 2008.

Eiichi hit .296/.336/.436 with 33 doubles and 82 RBI in 2009. He ranked among the Pacific League leaders in doubles (6th), hits (157, tied for 6th with Shinji Takahashi) and RBI (7th).

One of Koyano's heroes is Manny Ramirez. He once used the same helmet for several years, like Ramirez, until it finally broke.

Primary Source: Japan Baseball Daily by Gary Garland