Jumpei Takahashi

Jumpei Takahashi
Pitcher
Born: (1997-05-08) May 8, 1997 (age 27)
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
April 14, 2017, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record4-3
ERA2.63
Holds19
Saves0
Strikeouts72
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
U-18 Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2015 Osaka Team

Jumpei Takahashi (高橋 純平, Takahashi Junpei, born May 8, 1997) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher.

He previously played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

Early baseball career

Takahashi participated in the 3rd grade spring 87th Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament and the 3rd grade summer 97th Japanese High School Baseball Championship as an ace pitcher at Gifu Prefectural Gifu Commercial High School.

He was selected as the Japan national baseball team in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup.[1]

Professional career

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

In the 2015 NPB draft, he was selected as the first pick for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Chunichi Dragons and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters where he was won in a lottery by the Hawks.[2]

2016–2020 season

On 7 June 2016, Takahashi made his debut for the Hawks Western League team against the Dragons as a relief pitcher claiming the win after pitching 3 scoreless innings and claiming 3 strikeouts.[3] He was selected for the Western League representative team for the 2016 Fresh All-Stars game in Okayama.[4] He was the starting pitcher and threw 1 strikeout and gave up one hit in his single inning.[5]

On April 14, 2017, Takahashi debuted in the Pacific League against the Orix Buffaloes as a relief pitcher.[6] In 2017 season, he pitched only one game in the Pacific League.

In 2018 season, he didn't have a chance to pitch in the Pacific League and pitched in the Western League.[7]

Takahashi finished 2019 season with a record of 3-2 with 42 starts as a Relief pitcher, with a 2.56 ERA, and a 17 Holds and a 58 strikeouts in 51 innings. In the 2019 Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants, he relief pitched in Game 2.[8]

In 2020 season, Takahashi left the team in March with a pain in his right shoulder. He pitched in the Western League on September 1, but never had a chance to pitch in the Pacific League.[9][10]

2021-2023 season

On April 23, 2021, Takahashi rwon the match against Chiba Lotte Marines for the first time in two years.[11] He recorded a 1–1 Win–loss record, a 2 holds, and an ERA of 0.00 in 10 pitches, but ended the season with a broken right hand on May 7.[12]

In 2022 season, he didn't have a chance to pitch in the first league, partly because he injured his adductor muscle in spring training and was late to the game.[13]

In 2023 season, he didn't have a chance to pitch in the first league. On October 22, the Hawks announced they would release him.[14]

On December 1, 2023, Takahashi announced that he would retire as an active player. He is also scheduled to be on the team's staff starting next season.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) 清宮幸太郎、オコエ瑠偉、高橋純平らＵ18代表選出". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). August 19, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "Hawks snatch rights to negotiate with pitcher Takahashi in NPB draft". Japan Times. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Tuesday, June 7, 2016". Nippon Professional Baseball. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  4. ^ "出場者（ウエスタン・リーグ選抜）(Representatives (Western League)". Nippon Professional Baseball (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  5. ^ "2016年度フレッシュオールスター・ゲーム 試合結果(2016 Fresh All Stars Game Results)". Nippon Professional Baseball (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク高橋純平先頭被弾デビューも片りん5K」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). April 15, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Nippon Professional Baseball (Japanese) 2018年度 福岡ソフトバンクホークス 個人投手成績(ウエスタン・リーグ)". NPB.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  8. ^ "Nippon Professional Baseball (Japanese) 2019年10月20日(日) ヤフオクドーム 【SMBC日本シリーズ】 福岡ソフトバンクホークス vs 読売ジャイアンツ 第2戦". NPB.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  9. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク高橋純平は900万減 1軍登板なし". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). December 14, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク、高橋純「久しぶりで緊張した」 3カ月ぶり実戦復帰、1回無失点". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). September 1, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news ソフトバンク高橋純平　悔しさを乗り越えてつかんだ勝利". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). April 24, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  12. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 高橋純平、誕生日に右手骨折で抹消　長谷川が1軍復帰". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). May 8, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  13. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】高橋純平が実戦復帰「今日のところは合格」3軍戦に先発1イニング無安打無失点". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). June 8, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  14. ^ "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks press release 2023/10/22 (日) 来季契約について". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). October 22, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  15. ^ "Nikkansports Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】高橋純平が現役引退を報告「未練も後悔もある」今後は球団職員を視野に入れる". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jumpei Takahashi.