Naoto Nishiguchi

Naoto Nishiguchi (西口 直人)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 183 lbs.

• School Renaiss Health & Medical College
• High School Yamamoto High School

• Born November 14, 1996 in Yao, Osaka, Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Naoto Nishiguchi has pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Nishiguchi was drafted by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in the 10th round of the 2016 NPB draft, and he spent his first four seasons primarily in the NPB Farm Leagues, only pitching one game with the big club in 2018. He joined the Rakuten bullpen in 2021, and he had a 3.28 ERA in 33 appearances with a 5-2 record. In the 2021 PLCS stage 1, he relieved Tomohiro Anraku in Game 1 and pitched a shutout inning. The Golden Eagles were eliminated by the Chiba Lotte Marines.

Nishiguchi broke out in 2022, notching 30 holds with a 2.26 ERA in 61 games. He led the Pacific League in appearances, and he ranked 3rd in holds (tied with Taiki Tojo). Nishiguchi had a 4.56 ERA in 26 games with 7 holds in 2023, then he underwent Tommy John surgery and he would missed most of the 2024 season.

Nishiguchi's repertoire features a fastball that peaks at 96.9 mph, a forkball, changeup, cutter, curveball and a slider.