Rei Takahashi

Rei Takahashi (高橋 礼)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.

• School Senshu University
• High School Senshu University Matsudo High School

• Born November 2, 1995 in Matsudo, Chiba Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Rei Takahashi has pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball and for the Japanese national team.

Takahashi won Gold with Japan in the 2015 Universiade. The Softbank Hawks took him in the 2nd round of the 2017 NPB draft after picking Haruto Yoshizumi in round one. He spent most of 2018 in the minors, going 5-0 with a 1.21 ERA, .87 WHIP and 48 K in 44 2/3 IP. He was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA for the big team in 2018. He did pitch for Softbank when they won the 2018 Japan Series, appearing three times against the Hiroshima Carp and throwing 1 2/3 shutout innings.

The submarine hurler was part of the Hawks' rotation in 2019 and did well (12-6, 3.34). He finished 4th in the Pacific League in ERA, between Kodai Senga and Taisuke Yamaoka and he tied Zach Neal for 4th in wins. He was the only PL hurler to work multiple innings in 2019 NPB All-Star Game 2, a 11-3 loss to the Central League. Relieving Katsunori Hirai in the 6th inning, he allowed four hits and one run in two innings before Tatsushi Masuda closed it out. He helped the Hawks sweep the Yomiuri Giants in the 2019 Japan Series; he was perfect for five innings in game 2 before hitting Akihiro Wakabayashi in the 6th. His no-hit bid ended when Kazuma Okamoto singled in the 7th. He was matched by C.C. Mercedes goose egg for goose egg through six but Softbank started scoring once Yomiuri went to the bullpen. Takahashi left after seven innings and got the win; Liván Moinelo took over in the 8th. He won the 2019 Pacific League Rookie of the Year Award; his 206 votes were well ahead of runner-up and teammate Hiroshi Kaino.

The right-hander then was with Japan for the 2019 Premier 12. He was absolutely dominant against Puerto Rico, allowing one hit and one walk in six shutout innings to outduel Giovanni Soto; he again was perfect for five. This time, a two-out walk to Jay Gonzalez ended the perfecto and Ozzie Martínez followed with a single to end the no-hit bid. Shinya Kayama relieved. In his second outing, he was not as sharp, taking Japan's only loss of the event, allowing two runs in four to the USA, before Taisuke Yamaoka relieved. Clayton Richard got the win against him. In the finale against defending champion South Korea, he entered in the 2nd after Japan fell behind 3-1 when Shun Yamaguchi struggled. He retired Byung-hun Min and Kyoung-min Hur, walked Sang-su Kim and got Jung-hoo Lee on a grounder. In the 3rd, after Japan had pulled ahead 4-3 on a 3-run shot by Tetsuto Yamada, he allowed a Ha-seong Kim single but Jae-hwan Kim flew into a double play and Byung-ho Park grounded out. Kazuto Taguchi took over in the 4th and Japan would take the title, Takahashi getting the win in the finale. He finished the event 2-1, 1.50, tying Yi Chang, Kaino, Yudai Ono and Hyeon-jong Yang for the win lead.

He throws a fastball (peak 91 mph), slider, curveball and sinker.