Shohei Tsukahara

Shohei Tsukahara (塚原 頌平)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 176 lbs.

• High School Tsukuba Shuei High School

• Born July 8, 1992 in Yuki, Ibaraki, Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Shohei Tsukahara has pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Tsukahara was drafted by the Orix Buffaloes in the fourth round of the 2010 NPB draft, and he spent his first season in the NPB Farm Leagues, debuting the next year. Tsukahara had a 3.60 ERA in 16 games in 2012, but missed the next two seasons because he underwent right shoulder surgery. Tsukahara returned in 2015, and he collected 13 holds with a 3.30 ERA in 41 games. He also tied a negative record as he became the 6th Pacific League pitcher to throw three hit-by-pitches in a inning, doing so on May 8.

The Ibaraki native improved in 2016, when he notched 13 holds with a solid 2.67 ERA in 54 appearances. He was also selected into the 2016 NPB All-Star Games, and relieved Chris Martin in the 8th inning of Game 1. He retired Brad Eldred, gave up a single to Yoshihiro Maru then forced Shingo Kawabata to ground into a double play. Dennis Sarfate succeded him. Tsukahara then relieved Hideaki Wakui in the 3rd inning of Game 2; he was the only hurler to pitch in both All-Star Games that year. He retired Hayato Sakamoto and Ryosuke Kikuchi, but still couldn't deal with Maru as he blasted a solo shot. Tsukahara then forced Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to fly out to end his work. Naoya Masuda was the next PL hurler. However, the 2016 season was his last productive season as he only pitched 4 games after that due to a right elbow injury. Tsukahara never recovered from that injury, and he announced his retirement after spending the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons in the NPB Farm Leagues.

Overall, Tsukahara was 5-6, notched 28 holds with a 3.21 ERA and pitched 137 1/3 innings with 94 strikeouts in 4 years in NPB.

Tsukahara's repertoire featured a fastball that peaks at 94.4 mph and a forkball.