Kazuya Fukuura (福浦 和也, born December 14, 1975) is aJapanese professionalbaseballfirst baseman for theChiba Lotte Marines inJapan'sNippon Professional Baseball. He began his career as a pitcher.

Kazuya Fukuura
Fukuura with the Chiba Lotte Marines
Chiba Lotte Marines – No. 70
First baseman/Coach
Born: (1975-12-14)December 14, 1975 (age 49)
Batted: Left Threw: Left
NPB debut
Jul.5, 1997, for the Chiba Lotte Marines
Last appearance
Sep.23, 2019, for the Chiba Lotte Marines
NPB statistics (through 2019)
Batting average	.284
Home runs	118
RBI	935
Hits	2,000
Teams
As player Chiba Lotte Marines (1994–2019) As coach Chiba Lotte Marines (2018, 2019–present)
Career highlights and awards
3×NPB All-Star (2000, 2004, 2005) 3×Golden Glove Award (2003, 2005, 2007) 1×Best Nine Award (2010) 1× PL Batting Champion (2001) 2×Japan Series Champion (2005, 2010) Meikyukai Member (on 2018) Franchise player (22 years season)

His play and build drew comparisons to formerChicago Cubs playerMark Grace.

Starting his career as a pitcher before transitioning to a first baseman, Fukuura's skill set drew comparisons to formerChicago Cubs playerMark Grace. His debut inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) came in July 1997, marking the beginning of a prolific career. Over the years, Fukuura achieved a batting average of .284, with 118 home runs and 935 RBIs, reaching the significant milestone of 2,000 hits.

His accolades include three NPB All-Star selections (2000, 2004, 2005), three Golden Glove Awards (2003, 2005, 2007), and a Best Nine Award in 2010. Notably, he was the Pacific League Batting Champion in 2001 and contributed to theJapan Series Championships for the Marines in 2005 and 2010. Fukuura's consistent performance, characterized by a career .302 batting average as of 2005, and his ability to maintain an average above .300 every season since 2001, underscore his prowess as a contact hitter in a position often dominated by power hitters.

His exceptional double plays, leading the Pacific League with 50 doubles in 2003 and again in 2004 with 42, demonstrate his remarkable ability as a hitter. Despite the competitive environment and the presence of other talented players, Fukuura's dedication and skill earned him a place in theMeikyukai in 2018, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the sport.

In addition to his playing career, Fukuura also served as a coach for theChiba Lotte Marines, sharing his experience and knowledge with the next generation of players. His legacy as a franchise player for the Marines, spanning over two decades, reflects not only his individual achievements but also his commitment to the team and the sport of baseball in Japan. Kazuya Fukuura's career is a testament to his enduring talent and the impact he has had onNippon Professional Baseball.

• Career statistics fromBaseball Reference (Minors)
• NPB