Kazuya Takano

Kazuya Takano

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 170 lb.
• High School Buntoku High School

• Born November 10, 1992 in Kumamoto, Kumamoto Japan

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Kazuya Takano made the news when he was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers on November 20, 2010, straight out of a Japanese high school, bypassing the normal route by which Japanese players normally reach the professional ranks. Fellow pitcher Kazuki Nishijima, a college graduate, was also signed on the same day. This was part of the Dodgers' well-established policy of scouting the Far East for talent, but neither player was considered a significant talent, hence their availability.

Takano had a short professional career, never pitching at a higher level than the Rookie-class Arizona League. With the AZL Dodgers, he went 3-3, 6.81 in 13 games in 2011, with 5 starts. He gave up 52 hits, including 8 homers, in 38 1/3 innings but did post a decent K/W ratio at 33/11. in 2012, he did a little better, going 1-1, 3.77 in 8 games, all in relief, but his control was a lot worse, with 10 walks and 14 Ks in 14 1/3 innings. He was released before the start of the 2013 season and never pitched professionally after that.