Chikara Onodera

From BR Bullpen

Chikara Onodera (小野寺力)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 203 lb.

School Tokiwa University

Born November 26, 1980 in Kumagaya, Saitama Japan

Chikara Onodera is a pitcher for the Seibu Lions. He throws a forkball and a fastball timed as fast as 95 mph. He is the brother of Minoru Shindo.

Onodera was a 4th-round pick of the Seibu Lions out of college. In 2003, he allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and 4 runs in 3 1/3 IP in his Nippon Pro Baseball debut. In 2004, Chikara went 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA. He allowed 3 runs in 3 innings in the 2004 Japan Series. The next year, Onodera was 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA.

In 2006, Onodera replaced Kiyoshi Toyoda as Seibu's closer as Toyoda had been traded away. He did very well in the role, going 7-3 with 29 saves and a 2.82 ERA; in 61 innings, he gave up only two home runs. He tied Takahiro Mahara for third in the Pacific League in saves, trailing Micheal Nakamura and Masahide Kobayashi.

The right-hander slumped in 2007, with a 4-5, 5.18 record and 13 saves. He allowed 85 hits and 23 walks in 64 1/3 innings. Alex Graman replaced him as closer and was marginally better, though Graman would star in 2008.

In 2008, Onodera went 5-5 with a save and a 3.56 ERA in 50 games.