Takahiro Aoki

Takahiro Aoki (青木 高広)

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

• School Aichi University
• High School Gifu Shogyo High School

• Born November 26, 1981 in Gifu, Gifu Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Takahiro Aoki pitched for Nissan Motors in the industrial leagues after college. The Hiroshima Carp took him in the 4th round of the 2006 NPB draft. He had 10 quality starts in 2007 yet won none of them; for the year, he was 5-11 with a 4.77 ERA. He allowed 21 homers, tying Hisanori Takahashi and Kazuhisa Ishii. He tied Seth Greisinger for 9th in the Central League in runs allowed (70) and was 4th in losses.

Aoki moved to the bullpen in 2008 and went 0-3 with a 4.72 ERA. He was 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA in 2009 as a swingman. Aoki struggled in 2010, with a 6.75 ERA in 19 games. The Carp turned him into a full-time reliever in 2011, and he finally broke out. The Gifu native became the main middle-inning reliever for the Carp, had a solid 3.75 ERA in 76 appearances. He was second in the CL in appearances, three behind Takuya Asao. However, he suffered a severe left knee injury and missed the entire 2012 season. The Carp then traded him to the Yomiuri Giants for Jumpei Ono after the 2012 season.

The Aichi alumnus was still a reliable reliever in 2013, as he recorded a 2.87 ERA in 34 appearances. He had a 2.45 ERA in 38 games in 2014. When young prospects Kyosuke Takagi and Chiaki Tone shined in 2015, Aoki lost his spot, and spent the entire 2015 season in the ni-gun. The 34-year-old Aoki announced his retirement after the 2015 season.

Aoki's repertoire included a slider, curveball, changeup, shuuto and fastball (peak 89 mph).

Overall, Aoki was 17-30, notched 32 holds with a 4.56 ERA, struck out 285 and pitched 442 1/3 innings in 7 seasons in NPB.

Sources

• NPB site
• Wiki Japan