Seigi Tanaka

Summary

Seigi Tanaka (田中 正義, Tanaka Seigi, born July 19, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks after being drafted in 2016.

Seigi Tanaka
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – No. 26
pitcher
Born: (1994-07-19) July 19, 1994 (age 29)
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
April 1, 2018, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record2-4
ERA3.83
Holds10
Saves25
Strikeouts81
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
Haarlem Baseball Week
Silver medal – second place 2014 Haarlem, Netherlands Team
Baseball at the Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 2015, Gwangju, South Korea Team

Early baseball career edit

Tanaka was selected to the Japan national baseball team for 2014 Haarlem Baseball Week and Baseball at the 2015 Summer Universiade while attending Sōka University.

Professional career edit

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks edit

On October 20, 2016, Tanaka was drafted by the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks first overall pick in the 2016 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.[1]

In 2017 season, Tanaka played in the Western League of NPB's minor leagues and played in informal matches against Shikoku Island League Plus's teams.

On April 1, 2018, Tanaka pitched his debut game against the Orix Buffaloes as a relief pitcher.[2] In 2018 season, he pitched in 10 games.

In 2019 season, Tanaka hurt his right shoulder in spring training and spent 4 months in rehabilitation.[3] And he pitched only one game.

In 2020 season, Tanaka hurt his right elbow in spring training and spent the season in rehabilitation. As a result, he had no chance to pitch in the Pacific League.[4]

On June 27, 2021, Tanaka pitched in the Pacific League for the first time in two years against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.[5] In 2021 season, he finished the regular season with a 18 Games pitched, a 0–0 Win–loss record, a 2.16 ERA, a one Holds, and a 14 strikeouts in 16.2 innings.

In 2022 season, he injured his right shoulder in the preseason game on March 20, and the effect delayed his start in the Pacific League on August 14.[6] He finished the regular season with a 5 Games pitched, a 0–0 Win–loss record, a 0.00 ERA, a one Holds, and a 6 strikeouts in 5 innings.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters edit

On January 12, 2023, Tanaka was traded to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters as compensation for Kensuke Kondo, who exercised his right to free agency and moved to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク1位田中正義「ローテ入りを目指す」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 19, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  2. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク田中が153キロデビュー 被弾に反省". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). April 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク田中正義が2軍で今季初実戦150キロ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). June 5, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  4. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news (Japanese) リハビリ組のソフトバンク田中「2月1日に合わせたい」". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). December 24, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  5. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 5球団競合右腕、5年目田中が今季初登板「自分らしい投球で最高の結果」". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). June 27, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 直球全て150キロ超 ソフトバンク田中正義が仰天復活 295日ぶりマウンド". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). August 14, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  7. ^ "Nikkansports Sports baseball news 【日本ハム】人的補償の田中正義6年で未勝利 「新庄覚醒工場」は昨季4投手をプロ初白星に導く". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). January 12, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
  • Career statistics - NPB.jp
  • Japan Times