Gustavo Watanabe

Gustavo Yoshio Watanabe Silva

• Throws Right

• School Fundação Getulio Vargas, Takushoku University, Universidade Sant'Anna

• Born April 11, 1985

Biographical Information

Gustavo Watanabe was the youngest pitcher on the Brazilian national team in the 2002 Intercontinental Cup (the youngest position player, Frank Minowa, was only 19 days younger). The 17-year-old was the team's most-used pitcher, his 10 2/3 IP being 2/3 more than future Jays farmhand Jô Matumoto. He also led the team with 8 K and his 2.53 ERA was their best mark, .47 better than Marcos Guimarães. He didn't face easy competition either - second-place South Korea and Panama, which finished third (but lost their Bronze when several players tested positive for banned substances). He also played short, handling three chances error-free and going 0-for-4. He was the second-youngest player on the Brazilian national team in the 2003 Baseball World Cup at age 18; only Rafael Miranda was younger. He turned in a solid start against Bronze Medal winner Japan, outdueling Takahiko Nomaguchi 1-0 over the first four innings; Fernando Oda took over and Watanabe was charged with 2 runs in 5 2/3 IP, getting a no-decision. He allowed two runs in two innings versus Team USA, losing to Tim Christman. He later worked as an auditor and coached youth baseball in Brazil.