Kota Futaki

Kota Futaki (二木 康太)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 165 lbs.

• High School Kagoshima Joho High School

• Born August 1, 1995 in Kirishima, Kagoshima, Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Kota Futaki has pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Futaki was drafted by the Chiba Lotte Marines in the sixth round of the 2013 NPB draft, and he spent his first two seasons in the NPB Farm Leagues, only had one appearances with the big club during this period. Futaki joined the rotation in 2016, but he struggled and had a 5.34 ERA with a 7-9 record. He broke out in 2017, lowered his ERA to 3.39 and collected 7 wins. Futaki ranked 10th in strikeouts in the Pacific League, 94 behind Takahiro Norimoto. He was selected into the 2017 NPB All-Star Game, relieved Manabu Mima and pitched 2 shutout innings. He extended his solid pitching in 2018, having a 4-7 record with a 2.93 ERA.

The Kagoshima native pitched well in the beginning of the 2019, and attended 2019 NPB All-Star Game 2. He relieved Mima again in the 4th inning, but he allowed a homer to Seiya Suzuki. Futaki struggled after the All-Star break, and ended up 7-10 with a 4.41 ERA. He led the PL in losses, and ranked 6th in strikeouts (112 behind Kodai Senga). He bounced back in 2020, having a 9-3 record with a 3.40 ERA, and led the league in shutouts. He was the opening day starter for the Marines in 2021, but his ERA rose to 4.38 in 21 starts in this season, and he led the league in homers allowed with 24. He only pitched 9 games with a 4.18 ERA in 2022, and missed the entire 2023 season due to various injuries.

Futaki's repertoire features a fastball that peaks at 93.8 mph, a forkball, slider and a curveball.