is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Over his 16-year career, he played professional baseball in Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, and South Korea. He was used primarily as a starting pitcher.
Kobayashi graduated from famed baseball-focused PL Gakuen High School in Osaka, where he was a teammate of Kosuke Fukudome, who played for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 1997 draft by the Chiba Lotte Marines, Kobayashi played five seasons for their minor league "ni-gun" affiliate, from 1998 to 2002, but his 6.39 ERA prevented him from being promoted to the NPB club. Froom 2003 to 2005, he was on the "team staff" of the Chunichi Dragons, but never appeared in a game.
In 2006, Kobayashi left Japan for Canada to play for the Calgary Vipers of the independent North American League,Calgary Vipers News Release. "Vipers Roster Set," Our Sports Central (May 17, 2006). going 0–2 with a 5.32 ERA for the season.
Returning to Japan in 2007, Kobayashi played for the Kagawa Olive Guyners of the independent Shikoku Island League. Appearing mostly as a reliever, he had a 2.59 ERA in just over 31 innings pitched.
Kobayashi had his greatest success in 2008–2009, playing for the Brother Elephants of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. In 2008 he compiled a 10–6 record, with a 2.66 ERA and 110 strikeouts. He was also the Player of the Month of October 2008. To top it off, he won the 2008 CPBL Gold Glove award.
Kobayashi moved on to Mexico in 2010–2010, first playing for the Chileros de Xalapa and Gallos de Santa Rosa in the Liga Invernal Veracruzana Mexican winter league, and then the Marineros de Ensenada of Liga Norte de México. He was selected to play in the 2011 LNM All-Star Game.
Kobayashi moved to South Korea in 2012 to pitch as a closer for the Goyang Wonders of the KBO Futures League. He played for the Wonders from 2012 to 2013, compiling an 8–5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 17 saves.
After his playing career was over, Kobayashi opened a baseball academy in Fukuoka.TOKUNAGA, TARO. "Coronavirus puts global spotlight on Taiwanese baseball," Japan Times (May 24, 2020).
Career statistics
NPB Eastern League (Japan) SeasonTeamGWLIPHBBHBPSORERERAWHIP1998Chiba Lotte Marines (AAA)113235371421616153.861.461999Chiba Lotte Marines (AAA)131137.239----2220204.771.032000Chiba Lotte Marines (AAA)121018.120162819178.351.972001Chiba Lotte Marines (AAA)242255.2743034548436.951.872002Chiba Lotte Marines (AAA)181233.2411911134338.811.78Total5 year7887180.12117981021371286.391.61
North American League (Ind. Canadian) SeasonTeamGGSWLIPHHRBBIBBHBPSORERERAWHIP 2006Calgary Vipers4020269.176627324747415.321.48Total1 year4020269.176627324747415.321.48
Shikoku Island League (Ind. Japan) SeasonTeamGGSWLSVIPHHRBBIBBHBPSORERERAWHIP 2007Kagawa Olive Guyners15312131.1280300--992.590.99Total1 year15312131.1280300--992.590.99
CPBL (Taiwan) SeasonTeamGGSWLIPSVCGSHOHHRBBIBBSORERERAWHIP2008Brother Elephants2723106169.01311561142111061502.661.182009Brother Elephants232399127.20001601545078101845.921.61Total2 years50461915296.2131316268711881621344.061.36
Liga Invernal Veracruzana (Mex. Winter Baseball) SeasonTeam DATE2010Chileros de Xalapa NO DATE2010Gallos de Santa Rosa NO DATE
Liga Norte de México (Mex.) SeasonTeamGGSWLIPSVCGCGLSHOHHRBBIBBSORERERAWHIP2011Marineros de Ensenada14146487.203109361516943303.081.23Total1 years14146487.203109361516943303.081.23
KBO Futures League (Freedom Division) SeasonTeamGGSWLSVIPHHRBBIBBHBPSORERERAWHIP 2012Goyang Wonders28041781.082720246534333.671.332013Goyang Wonders290441048.24224334016101.851.006Total2 seasons5708517129.21249245710550432.981.141
See also Chinese Professional Baseball League Brother Elephants
References
External links