Takehito Kanazawa

Takehito Kanazawa (金澤 健人) (Kinsuke)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.

• High School Isohara High School

• Born January 12, 1979 in Kita Ibaraki, Ibaraki Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Takehito Kanazawa has pitched for several Nippon Pro Baseball teams.

Kanazawa pitched for NTT Kanto in the industrial leagues after high school. The Hanshin Tigers took him in the second round of the 1998 NPB draft. He made it to the big club in 2001 but was overmatched (.400 opponent average, 6.92 ERA in 12 games). He pitched 50 games for the 2002 Tigers, going 5-4 with a save and a 4.33 ERA. He was 0-1 with a 2.75 ERA in 2003, walking only 10 in 55 2/3 IP. In the 2003 Japan Series, he was annihilated by the Daiei Hawks in a game two relief stints, surrendering 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits (2 homers) and one walk in two innings.

In 2004, the Ibaraki native was 1-1 with a 3.53 ERA. On August 1, he became the first Hanshin hurler (and 9th NPB pitcher) to fan four batters in an inning. He missed all of 2005, though, following elbow surgery. In 2006, Takehito went 3-1 with a 4.78 ERA and .312 opponent average. Following the season, Hanshin dealt him to the Nippon Ham Fighters in exchange for former Pacific League Rookie of the Year Itsuki Shoda.

Kanazawa struggled in his first season with the Fighters, with a 8.46 ERA, .307 average and 1.75 WHIP in 22 1/3 IP; he was 1-1 for 2007. In 2008, he was 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA and .319 opponent average. The Fighters let him go, figuring he was washed up. The Orix Buffaloes signed him as a free agent. He pitched five games for them in 2009, allowing 10 hits (2 homers), 3 walks and 4 runs in 7 2/3 IP.

In April 2010, the right-hander switched teams again, as Orix traded him to the Softbank Hawks in exchange for Keisuke Kaneko and Hisao Arakane. He had his best season in eight years, going 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA and .225 opponent average. In 2011, the veteran was sharper yet at 1-1 with 3 saves, a 1.66 ERA and WHIP under 1.

Kanazawa throws a fastball (peak 90 mph), shuuto and slider.

Sources

• Japan Baseball Daily
• Official NPB site
• Taiwan Baseball Wiki
• Yakyu Baka