Mitsuo Yoshikawa
From BR Bullpen
Mitsuo Yoshikawa (吉川 光夫)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.
- High School Koryo High School
- Born April 6, 1988 in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Japan
Mitsuo Yoshikawa has been a pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball.
Yoshikawa was a first-round pick of the Nippon Ham Fighters out of high school. He went 4-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 2007, with 46 walks in 93 1/3 innings. In the 2007 Japan Series, the 19-year-old relieved Ryan Glynn in game two but walked two batters following three free passes issued by Glynn to set a Japan Series record for one team in one inning. Two games later, manager Trey Hillman gave Yoshikawa the ball, only the 5th rookie out of high school to start a Japan Series game and the first since Kazuhisa Ishii. Yoshikawa again struggled with his control, taking the loss to the Chunichi Dragons (who would win the Series). Overall, he allowed seven walks, three hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings in the Series.
The Fukuoka native fell to 2-4, 6.23 in his seven starts in 2008, walking 22 in 34 2/3 innings. #34 was 0-2 with a 6.61 ERA and 10 walks in 16 1/3 innings in 2009 and 0-4 with a 6.92 ERA and .330 opponent average in 2010. He has started 2011 0-2 to bring his career record to 6-15, 4.74.
Yoshikawa throws a curveball, slider and fastball (which has peaked at 91 mph).
