| Yoshinori Tateyama | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Tateyama with the Texas Rangers in 2013 | |
| Pitcher /Coach | |
| Born: (1975-12-26)December 26, 1975 (age 50) Daitō,Osaka,Japan | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| NPB: May 3, 1999, for the Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| MLB: May 24, 2011, for the Texas Rangers | |
| Last appearance | |
| NPB: August 14, 2014, for the Hanshin Tigers | |
| MLB: September 26, 2012, for the Texas Rangers | |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 35–43 |
| Earned run average | 3.43 |
| Strikeouts | 491 |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 3–0 |
| Earned run average | 5.75 |
| Strikeouts | 61 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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Yoshinori Tateyama (建山 義紀,Tateyama Yoshinori; born December 26, 1975) is aJapanese former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTexas Rangers, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and theHanshin Tigers.
Tateyama began his professional career in 1999 with theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ofNippon Professional Baseball, pitching for the team through the 2010 season. In 438 appearances for the team mainly in relief, he tossed661+2⁄3 innings, compiling a 35–43 record and 3.43 ERA with 488 strikeouts.[1]
On November 30, 2010, Tateyama signed as a free agent with theTexas Rangers.[2] After starting 2011 with the Triple–ARound Rock Express, he was called up to the major leagues on May 23, 2011, and made his major league debut the following day. Tateyama struck outCarlos Quentin swinging for his first major league strikeout. On May 28, Tateyama recorded his one and only MLBsave during a 10–1 Rangers victory over theKansas City Royals.[3]
Koji Uehara was his teammate in high school. In that time, Tateyama was anace pitcher and Uehara was an outfielder. In the 2011–2012 offseason, the Rangers signed Japan's best starting pitcherYu Darvish to a 5-year deal. Tateyama and Darvish were previously teammates for 5 seasons on theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Tateyama made 14 appearances for the Rangers in 2012, struggling to a 9.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 17 innings pitched. He became a free agent on October 30, 2012, when the Rangers declined his option for the 2013 season.[4]
On December 20, 2012, Tateyama re–signed with the Rangers on a minor league contract.[5] He was released prior to the season on March 21, 2013, and re–signed with the organization on a minor league contract two days later.[6] In 23 appearances for Triple–A Round Rock, Tateyama compiled a 4.24 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 34 innings of work.
On June 21, 2013, Tateyama was traded to theNew York Yankees in exchange for future considerations.[7] In 21 games for the Triple–AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he worked to a 2–2 record and 1.70 ERA with 42 strikeouts over42+1⁄3 innings pitched. Tateyama elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2013.
On December 25, 2013, Tateyama re–signed with the Yankees organization on a minor league contract.[8] He made 9 appearances for Scranton in 2014, recording a 6.08 ERA with 17 strikeouts across13+1⁄3 innings.[9] On May 9, 2014, Tateyama was released by the Yankees organization.[10]
Tateyama subsequently returned to Japan to sign with theHanshin Tigers ofNippon Professional Baseball on June 25, 2014.[11] He made 8 appearances for the Tigers, registering a 3.68 ERA with 3 strikeouts across7+1⁄3 innings pitched. On November 1, Tateyama announced his retirement from professional baseball.[12][13]
After his retirement, Tateyama becameJapan national baseball team pitching coach at the2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship,[14] 2018 exhibition game againstAustralia,[15]2018 U-23 Baseball World Cup[16] and2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[17]
Asidearm pitcher, Tateyama relied chiefly on asinking fastball that averaged 87–88 mph and a curveball in the low 70s. He also featured two other off-speed pitches, achangeup (74–78 mph) and ascrewball (68–71 mph), that were used mostly against left-handed batters.[18] The screwball is thrown with a "Vulcan" grip.[19] He was one of only two relief pitchers to have thrown even a single screwball in the 2012 MLB season.[20]
While his strikeout totals were average, he got hitters out with his control (career 2.11BB/9 in NPB).
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