Katsunori Kitano

Katsunori Kitano (北野 勝則)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.

• High School Kaisei High School

• Born October 10, 1967 in Suzuka, Mie Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Katsunori Kitano played in Nippon Pro Baseball for 9 years.

Kitano was drafted by the Taiyo Whales in the 4th round of the 1985 NPB draft, and he went 1-9 with a 6.86 ERA for the Butte Copper Kings in 1987. He led the Pioneer League in losses, one ahead of Mike Timlin and a couple others. He also allowed the most runs (70) and earned runs (62). He only got 6 appearances combined for the big club in his first four seasons, and he was traded to the Chunichi Dragons for Mitsuhiro Kataoka. Kitano still didn't get many chances, and he only pitched 14 innings combined in the next three seasons. He led the Western League in winning percentage in 1993, and that earned him a spot for the top team in 1994. Kitano was 2-2 with a 2.28 ERA that season, but his ERA then rose to 5.73 in 26 appearances in 1995. He bounced back soon as his ERA was 2.36 in 54 relief outings, and he was 2nd in games in the Central League (9 behind Minoru Kasai), Kitano's ERA was 4.35 in 34 appearances in 1997, but he didn't reach the top team in 1998 and he announced his retirement.

Overall, Kitano was 4-3 with a 3.62 ERA, struck out 76 and pitched 149 1/3 innings in 9 seasons in NPB.

Sources

• Wiki Japan