Ryuichi Kawahara

Ryuichi Kawahara (河原 隆一) (Katsuo)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 10", Weight 176 lb.

• School Kanto Gakuin University
• High School Yokohama Shogyo High School

• Born August 10, 1971 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Ryuichi Kawahara played for the Yokohama BayStars for nine years.

Kawahara was a first-round draft pick in the 1993 NPB draft. He battled control problems and switched to a sidearm delivery that improved his control but reduced his velocity. He allowed 12 runs in 13 2/3 innings as a rookie in 1995, walking 12 in 13 2/3 innings. He issued 17 free passes in only 7 1/3 innings in 1996 and wound up 0-1 with a 11.05 ERA. Kawahara improved to 1-3, 6.29 in 1997. The LOOGY led the Central League with 66 games pitched, though he only totaled 48 2/3 innings. Opponents hit .338 against him.

Kawahara was 1-0 with a 5.47 ERA in 1998, lowering his opponent average to .241 though he walked 21 in 24 2/3 innings over 30 games. He was not used in the 1998 Japan Series as Yokohama took the title. He actually had more innings (27 2/3) than games (27) in 1999. He was 0-1 with a 3.90 ERA and .223 opponent average, showing continued progress.

Ryuichi lasted 59 2/3 innings in his 47 appearances in 2000 with 71 strikeouts. He was 2-2 with two saves and a 3.47 ERA In perhaps his best season. The lefty went 0-2 with a 7.42 ERA in 2001, walking 27 in 30 1/3 innings and giving up a .299 average. He pitched 16 1/3 innings in his 34 games in 2002, going 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA. In 29 games and 17 innings in 2003, he was 0-1 with a 8.47 ERA and .353 opponent average. He was released the next year.

Overall, the former first-rounder finished up 5-11 with two saves and a 5.76 ERA in 245 1/3 innings over 271 games for his hometown BayStars. He walked 165 and allowed a .286 average while striking out 231. He later scouted for Yokohama.

Source: Japan Baseball Daily