Ryoji Kuribayashi

Ryoji Kuribayashi (栗林 良吏, Kuribayashi Ryōji, born July 9, 1996 in Aisai, Aichi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[1][2]

Ryoji Kuribayashi
Hiroshima Toyo Carp – No. 20
Pitcher
Born: (1996-07-09) July 9, 1996
Aisai, Aichi, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
March 27, 2021, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Career statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record0–3
Earned run average1.16
Strikeouts140
Saves68
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
Summer Olympics
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team
World Baseball Classic
Gold medal – first place 2023 Miami Team

Professional career

Kuribayashi was selected by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp with the team's first selection in the 2020 Nippon Professional Baseball draft. He made his NPB debut on March 27, 2021, pitching a scoreless inning with 2 strikeouts against the Chunichi Dragons. After recording a stellar 0.55 ERA in 33 appearances to begin the year, Kuribayashi was named an NPB All-Star for the first time in his career.[3] In 2021, Kuribayashi recorded 37 saves with a 0.86 ERA in 53 games and claimed the Central League's Rookie of the Year Award.

In 2022, Kuribayashi pitched as a closer throughout the season and recorded 31 saves with a 1.49 ERA in 48 games.

On June 6, 2023, Kuribayashi pitched a scoreless seventh inning against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, earning his first win in NPB.[4]

International career

Kuribayashi represented the Japan national baseball team in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He pitched in five games and recorded 2 wins and 3 saves, contributing to the Japan's gold medal in the Olympics.[5]

References
  1. 一般社団法人日本野球機構. "Register : Kuribayashi,Ryoji (Hiroshima Toyo Carp)". Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. "広島東洋カープ公式サイト". Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  3. "Ryoji Kuribayashi Japanese Leagues Statistics & History".
  4. JIJI.COM. "広島・栗林、３年目で初勝利　プロ野球". Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  5. Asahi Shimbun. "1年延期の巡り合わせで守護神に　栗林良吏、自信を持って投げ抜いた". Retrieved June 6, 2023.


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