Akira Neo
根尾昂
Chunichi Dragons – No. 7
Infielder/Pitcher
Born: (2000-04-19) April 19, 2000 (age 23)
Hida, Gifu, Japan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
NPB debut
29 September 2019, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.171
Hits40
Homeruns1
RBIs20
Win–loss record0-0
ERA3.41
Strikeouts22
Teams

Akira Neo (根尾昂, Neo Akira, born April 19, 2000) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He has played as a position player but is currently a pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons.

Early career

A highly touted two-way talent when playing for Osaka Tōin High School, Neo contributed to his school's back to back wins at the 2018 spring invitational tournament and the summer national championships.[1]

On 20 October 2018, Neo was the contested 1st draft pick for the Chunichi Dragons, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Tokyo Yomiuri Giants at the 2018 NPB Draft.[2] Rights to negotiate for Neo's contract were won by the Dragons.[2][3][4][5] On 4 November, Neo signed a pre-contract with the Dragons guaranteeing a ¥100,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥15,000,000 yearly salary with ¥50,000,000 in incentives.[6]

Professional career

Chunichi Dragons

2019

Neo had been earmarked to start spring training with the first team,[7] but a pulled calf during an individual training session on 24 January confirmed a start with the second team.[8]

Neo had a slow start in the Western League batting under .200 for the first few months of his professional career before hitting .324 during the month of June.[9]

On July 10, it was confirmed that Neo would be starting the annual Fresh All-Stars game for the Western League alongside fellow 2018 draftees, Kōdai Umetsu and Kōta Ishibashi.[10]

Play style

Primarily playing at short, Neo amassed 32 home runs in his high school career as well as clocking 150 km/h (93 mph) on his fastball as a pitcher.[11] He can run 50 metres in 6 seconds flat and has a throwing range of 115 meters.[11]

Personal life

Neo was a Japanese champion alpine skier in middle school and represented Japan at an international tournament in Italy.[12] As a middle-school student, Neo played for Hida Boys with Kenshin Kakikoshi with whom he was reunited by with the Dragons at the 2018 draft. [13]

References

  1. ^ "Osaka Toin wins Senbatsu high school baseball tournament for 2nd straight year". Mainichi Daily News. 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  2. ^ a b "中日ドラ１根尾、投手「ゼロじゃない」／一問一答 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Chunichi's 1st draft pick Akira Neo: I wouldn't rule out pitching/ 1 question 1 answer]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  3. ^ "Baseball: Dragons win rights to top prospect Neo in NPB draft". Kyodo News. 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
  4. ^ "Neo picked by Chunichi in NPB draft, says he feels 'special connection' with team". Mainichi Daily News. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
  5. ^ "Dragons secure negotiating rights with Osaka Toin's Akira Neo". The Japan Times Online. 2018-10-25. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
  6. ^ "中日１位根尾が最高条件で仮契約「ショート一本で」 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Chunichi's #1 Draft pick Neo signs pre-contract at maximum amount "Only shortstop"]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  7. ^ "中日Ｄ１・根尾、１軍スタート「濃い練習を」" [Neo to start with first team "(I'm looking forward to) intense training"]. Sanspo (in Japanese). 2019-01-22. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  8. ^ "中日・根尾、「右腓腹筋の軽度の肉離れ」キャンプ二軍スタート ｜ ショウアップナイター" [Chunichi Neo "Light right calf strain" means start with second team.]. Baseball King (in Japanese). 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  9. ^ "【ファーム竜情報】 根尾、初の３安打＆全打席出塁". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  10. ^ "フレッシュオールスター、ウエスタンの遊撃は根尾昂。両リーグ先発メンバーを発表". Baseball Channel (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  11. ^ a b "大阪桐蔭・根尾「何か縁が」４球団競合中日が交渉権 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Osaka Toin's Neo "there's a connection"; among competition of 4 Chunichi secures negotiating rights]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  12. ^ Akasaka, Eiichi. "野球選手の人生は13歳で決まる（1）想像を絶する有力校の争奪戦（赤坂 英一）" [Baseballer's life is decided at 13; 1. big competition at good school]. Gendai (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  13. ^ "【ドラフト会議】山梨学院 垣越建伸、中日が5位指名！根尾と元チームメイト 最速146キロの大型左腕" [Draft Meeting: Yamanashi Gakuin's Kenshin Kakikoshi selected 5th for the Dragons; Neo's former team-mate; left armer with 146 km/g max velo]. 高校野球ニュース (in Japanese). 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2019-01-04.


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