Kazuki Nishijima

Kazuki Nishijima (西嶋 一記)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• School Meiji University
• High School Yokohama High School

• Born February 28, 1989 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Kazuki Nishijima made the news when he was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers on November 20, 2010, straight out of prestigious Meiji University in Tokyo, thus bypassing the normal route followed by Japanese players who turn professional. The Dodgers, who had been actively scouting the Far east for quite some time, also signed a high schooler on the same day, Kazuya Takano. However, both recruits turned out to be busts.

Nishijima began his career in 2011 with the Ogden Raptors of the Rookie-class Pioneer League, going 2-1, 5.51 in 14 games, all but one in relief. He gave up 28 runs on 44 hits in 32 2/3 innings, but had a great K/W ratio of 27/2. He returned with the same team in 2012 and finished at 8-1, 4.56 in 16 games. He still gave up a lot of traffic, with 34 runs and 57 hits in 47 1/3 innings, and by then he was quite old for the level. He was released the following March and played in Japan's industrial leagues after that then became a coach at his alma mater, Meiji University.