Ryu Kawabata

Ryu Kawabata (河端 龍)

• Bats Right Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 160 lb.

• School Ryukoku University
• High School Nishijoyo High School

• Born November 10, 1976 in Joyo, Kyoto Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Ryu Kawabata played in Nippon Pro Baseball for 7 years.

Kawabata won three Best Nines and 2 MVPs in his college career, and he was drafted by the Yakult Swallows in the 5th round of the 1998 NPB draft. He had a 5.21 ERA in 14 games in 1999, and he stayed in the minors for the entire 2000 season. Kawabata recorded a 3.20 ERA in 41 games in 2001, and his ERA was 2.70 in 43 appearances in 2002. He went 2-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 2003, and he pitched a career-high 61 games with a 3.68 ERA in 2004. Kawabata was 4th in appearances in the Central League, between Brian Sikorski and Hitoki Iwase. He pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings combined in 4 games in the 2001 Nippon Series, and the Swallows beat the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 5 games. Kawabata's ERA was 3.45 in 34 games in 2005, but he only pitched one more game for the big club before he announced his retirement in 2008.

Overall, Kawabata was 13-14 with 6 holds and a 3.45 ERA, struck out 218 and pitched 255 1/3 innings in 231 appearances in 7 seasons in NPB.

Sources

• Wiki Japan