Soichiro Yamazaki

Soichiro Yamazaki (山﨑 颯一郎)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 187 lb.

• High School Tsuruga Kehi High School

• Born June 15, 1998 in Kaga, Ishikawa Japan

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Soichiro Yamazaki has pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball and been on the Japanese national team

Yamazaki was the 6th round pick of the Orix Buffaloes in the 2016 NPB draft. He had a 4.63 ERA in the Japanese minors in 2017, and a 4.66 ERA with 100 1/3 innings pitched in 2018. He represented Japan in the 2018 U-23 Baseball World Cup He didn't allowed any runs in 10 3/2 innings pitched, and won the ERA title of the event (Hiroki Kondo and Nivaldo Rodriguez were also at 0.00, in more innings). However, Yamazaki tore his left hand ligament, received Tommy John surgery, and missed all the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Yamazaki debuted with the top team in 2021, pitched 8 games as a starter, and collected 2 wins with a 3.69 ERA. He started Game 4 of the 2021 Japan Series against the Yakult Swallows and allowed one run in five but was outdueled by 41-year-old Masanori Ishikawa; Hirotoshi Masui took over and would get tagged with the loss. The young pitcher was transitioned to being a reliever in 2022 and got 6 holds in 15 appearances with a 3.00 ERA. He had a 6.75 ERA over four appearances in the 2022 Japan Series but Orix beat the Swallows in the rematch of 2021's Series. He then made Japan's roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, replacing the injured Ryoji Kuribayashi in the second round. Yamazaki didn't played any games in the event and Japan won the tournament.