Masahiro Araki
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2014) ) |
Masahiro Araki | |
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Second baseman/Infield Coach | |
Born: Kikuchi District, Kumamoto, Japan | September 13, 1977|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
NPB debut | |
May 31, 1997, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
Last NPB appearance | |
October 13, 2018, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
Career statistics (through 2018) | |
Batting average | .268 |
Hits | 2,043 |
Home runs | 34 |
Runs batted in | 468 |
Stolen bases | 378 |
Teams | |
As Player
As Coach
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Career highlights and awards | |
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Masahiro Araki (荒木 雅博, born September 13, 1977 in Kumamoto, Japan) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player. He played predominantly at second base for the Chunichi Dragons. He was noted for his speed and defense.
Early career
Araki was a first-round draft pick by Chunichi in 1995, out of high school. In
In 1998, the 20-year-old played 7 games for Chunichi but had just one at-bat, appearing as a pinch-runner and defensive sub. The next year, he went 1 for 4 in 16 games in a similar role; in four steal attempts, he was only successful once. In 2000, Araki remained a substitute, playing 40 games but only getting 12 plate appearances (2 for 10, 2 sacrifice flies, 3 SB in 3 tries). He spent 34 games in the outfield.
Increased role
Araki became a semi-regular in 2001 and produced at a .338/.384/.438 clip with 13 steals and 9 times caught stealing. He backed up veteran Kazuyoshi Tatsunami at second base. In 2002, Tatsunami moved to third so Araki could take over at second. He batted .259/.279/.296 and stole 16 bases in 20 attempts. He fielded .986 and led Chunichi in steals. In 2003, the speedster hit .237/.283/.314 with 15 steals in 24 attempts. He fielded .990 and again led the Dragons in swipes.
Star
Araki improved significantly in 2004, batting .292/.322/.349, stealing 39 bases in 48 tries and scored 93 runs. He replaced Hirokazu Ibata at the top of the Dragons batting order, Ibata dropping to second to form a swift 1-2 punch. He fielded .992 and won his first Gold Glove. He was second in the Central League in steals behind Norihiro Akahoshi and tied Toshihisa Nishi for third in hits (176). He made his first All-Star team. That year, Araki and Greg LaRocca tied for the CL Best Nine Award at second base; it was the first tie ever in voting for a Best Nine in NPB history. He hit .267/.333/.433 in the 2004 Japan Series as Chunichi fell in 7 games.
In 2005, Araki's batting line was .291/.332/.345; he scored 88 runs and stole 42 bases in 53 tries. He set a CL record with 623 AB, tied Ibata for 5th in the league in hits (181), was 9th in runs (88) and second to Akahoshi in stolen bases. He made his second All-Star team and was named to the Best Nine. He also set NPB records for total chances (913) and assists (496) by a second sacker. He won his second Gold Glove.
Araki hit .300/.338/.358 in
In 2007, Masahiro batted .263/.296/.302 with 31 steals in 37 tries. He was dropped to second in the lineup, flipped with double-play partner Ibata in the lineup. He led the CL in steals and was second with 30 sacrifice hits. In the 2007 Japan Series, Araki hit .350/.350/.381 with 4 steals and 5 runs in 5 games to help Chunichi to its first Japan Series title in 53 years.
Araki joined the Japanese national team for the
Sources
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Career statistics - NPB.jp (in Japanese)