Takahiko Nomaguchi

Takahiko Nomaguchi (野間口 貴彦)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.

• School Soka University
• High School Kansai Soka High School

• Born May 31, 1983 in Amagasaki, Hyogo Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Takahiko Nomaguchi is a pitcher who has appeared for the Japanese national team (2003-2004) and Yomiuri Giants (2005- ). He throws a slider, forkball and a fastball (which has peaked at 96 mph).

Nomaguchi dropped out of college to join the Shidax industrial league team, managed by legendary slugger Katsuya Nomura. Takahiko blossomed there. He joined Japan's team for the 2003 Baseball World Cup and was one of the tourney's top performers, going 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 18 innings. He teamed up on a shutout of South Korea in the quarterfinals and Japan took home the Bronze despite an all-amateur team facing off with pro squads. Kleber Tomita was named to the World Cup All-Tournament team as the top right-handed pitcher despite his higher ERA due to his strong work against Cuba. Nomaguchi was 5th in the Cup in ERA, having the lowest ERA of anyone who allowed a run. He tied many others for 4th in wins, one behind co-leaders Rafael Medina, Len Picota and Norge Vera. He just missed the top 5 in strikeouts.

Nomaguchi was indirectly responsible for the Yomiuri Giants acquiring Katsunori Nomura, the son of his manager at Shidax. The Giants felt the move might make their club more enticing to Nomaguchi. In the 2004 Haarlem Baseball Week, Takahiko was 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

Yomiuri took Nomaguchi in the first round of the 2005 draft. He debuted with them that year, going 4-3 with a 6.61 ERA, allowing 12 home runs in 47 2/3 IP. Only washed-up former star Masumi Kuwata had a higher ERA among Yomiuri's starting pitchers.

In 2006, Tatsunori Hara moved Nomaguchi to the bullpen. He responded with a 1-3, 3.43 record in 26 games. The right-hander only made 7 appearances for the Giants in 2007, with a 1.80 ERA in his limited work.

He has split 2008 between the Giants and their farm team.

Nomaguchi has dated model Moe Oshikiri for several years.

Primary Sources

• Japanesebaseball.com
• Defunct IBAF site
• Japanese Wikipedia entry
• 2004 Haarlem Baseball Week stats