Itsuki Shoda
From BR Bullpen
Itsuki Shoda (正田 樹)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 2", Weight 187 lb.
- High School Kiryu Daiichi High School
- Born November 3, 1981 in Ota, Gunma Japan
Itsuki Shoda is a curveball specialist who was a Rookie of the Year in Japan.
Shoda was a first-round draft pick of the Nippon Ham Fighters in 2000. He allowed 11 hits and 3 runs in 6 innings for Nippon Ham in 2000, then surrendered 3 runs in two innings in 2001. In 2002, he broke into the rotation and went 9-11 with a 3.45 ERA, 7th in the Pacific League in the latter category. He tied Carlos Mirabal for second on the Nippon Ham staff in wins, trailing Satoru Kanemura by one. He was named the PL Rookie of the Year.
In 2003, Shoda faded to 5-15, 5.78, surrendering 21 homers and 152 hits in 134 innings. He led the league in losses. In 2004, the 22-year-old southpaw was 8-5 but with a 5.00 ERA and 57 walks in 86 1/3 IP. He was still one of the better hurlers on an unextremely poor staff. In 2005, he went 2-6 with a 6.27 ERA and 1.91 WHIP. The former Rookie of the Year's career record was now 24-37, 4.87.
Shoda spent 2006 in ni-gun and was traded to the Hanshin Tigers for Takehito Kanazawa. He spent the next two seasons in the minor leagues for Hanshin.
For 2009, Shoda signed with Taiwan's Sinon Bulls. He got Sinon's first start of the year, on March 29, and dropped a 12-8 decision to the La New Bears, getting shelled for 7 runs in 1/3 of an inning.
