Minato Aoyama

Minato Aoyama (青山 美夏人)

• Bats Right Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 207 lb.

• School Asia University
• High School Yokohama Hayato High School

• Born July 19, 2000 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Minato Aoyama has pitched in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Aoyama represented Japan in the 2022 Haarlem Baseball Week. He allowed two hits in six shutout innings to beat Nelmerson Angela of Curaçao in a 1-0 duel then went 6 1/3 hitless against the Netherlands before fading in a 2-1 loss to Lars Huijer. Overall, he yielded just three hits and two runs in 12 2/3 IP, striking out 15. He led the tournament in innings (1/3 ahead of former major leaguer Shairon Martis) and was second in strikeouts (one behind Kota Yazawa).

He was drafted by the Seibu Lions in the 4th round of the 2022 NPB draft; the scout was Jun Takeshita. He debuted against the Orix Buffaloes on March 31, 2023, but he allowed a game-tying homer to Tomoya Mori in the 9th inning. Aoyama recorded a 2.96 ERA in 39 appearances with 3 saves in 2023, and he went 1-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 2024.

Aoyama's repertoire features a fastball that peaks at 93.8 mph, curveball, cutter, and a slider.

Sources

• 2022 Haarlem Baseball Week
• Wiki Japan