Toshiaki Imae
From BR Bullpen
Toshiaki Imae
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 177 lb.
- High School PL Gakuen High School
- Born August 26, 1983 in Muko, Kyoto Japan
Toshiaki Imae was the captain of a Boys League team that won a world championship when he was in 9th grade. After hitting 30 HR during his high school career, he was drafted in the third round in 2001 by the Chiba Lotte Marines. He played briefly for the Marines in 2002-2003, primarily playing in ni-gun. In 2003, he was MVP of a minor league All-Star game. In 2004, Imae began seeing some playing time with the Marines and hit .258/.296/.358. Given the starting third base job in 2005, Toshiaki did a fine job for a guy who was 21 years old most of the year. He batted .310/.353/.451 (.377 average versus left-handers) and led the Pacific League with 35 doubles and was sixth in batting average. Winning the Gold Glove in the PL at third base, he was also named to the Best Nine there. He had hits in 8 straight plate appearances during the 2005 Japan Series and finished 10 for 15 with 15 total bases, 5 runs and 4 RBI in the 4-game Marines sweep, earning him Japan Series MVP honors. After the season, he was named to Japan's 2006 World Baseball Classic roster as one of the country's brighter young stars. Imae was a disappointment in his second full season, hitting .267/.293/.389 and often hitting in the bottom third of the order by year's end.
Imae broke his hand in May of 2007 and was expected to miss six weeks after surgery.
Main source: Japanbaseballdaily.com by Gary Garland
