Keisuke Kaneko

Keisuke Kaneko
Kaneko with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 91
Infielder / Coach
Born: (1985-07-23) July 23, 1985 (age 39)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
NPB debut
2006, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
NPB statistics (through 2016)
Batting average	.197
Home runs	0
RBI	17
Hits	42
Stolen base	10
Sacrifice bunt	18
Teams
As player Fukuoka Daiei Hawks/Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2006–2009, 2012–2016) Orix Buffaloes (2010–2011) As coach Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2023–present)

Keisuke Kaneko (金子 圭輔, Kaneko Keisuke, born July 23, 1985) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder, and current the third squad inside defense and base running coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).^[1]

He previously played for the Fukuoka Daiei / SoftBank Hawks, and the Orix Buffaloes.^[2]

Professional career

Active player era

Fukuoka Daiei / SoftBank Hawks

On November 19, 2003, Kaneko was drafted 6th round pick by the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the 2003 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.^[2]

During Kaneko's first era with the Hawks, he appeared in 32 games in the Pacific League in the 2008 season, but was only able to play in 54 games over six seasons.^[2]

On April 30, midway through the 2010 season, Kaneko and Hisao Arakane were traded to the Orix Buffaloes exchange to Takehito Kanazawa.^[3]

Orix Buffaloes

Kaneko with the Orix Buffaloes.

In 2010 season, Kaneko appeared in 31 games and recorded a batting average of .217, two RBIs, and four stolen bases.^[2]

On January 24, 2012, after Kaneko played two seasons with the Buffaloes, he returned to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in a trade exchange to Hideaki Takahashi.^[4]

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

After returning to the Hawks, Kaneko contributed to the team with his high defensive ability, able to defend all positions in the infield.^[5]

He appeared in 157 games from the 2012 - 2016 season, but announced his retirement on November 30, 2016.^[2][6]

Kaneko played 13 seasons, appearing in 253 games and a batting average of .197, a 42 hits, a RBI of 17, a 10 stolen bases, and a 18 sacrifice bunts.^[2]

After retirement

Kaneko worked as a team staff member as a public relations officer for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.^[7]

He also served as a leading scorer starting in the 2021 season.^[8]

On October 31 2022, The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks announced that Kaneko will inauguration as coach from the 2023 season.^[1]

References

1. "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks press release 「2023年コーチングスタッフについて (2022年10月31日現在)". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
2. "Weekly Baseball online player data 金子圭輔(かねこけいすけ)内野手 右投両打". Weekly Baseball online (in Japanese). Retrieved December 8, 2023.
3. "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks press release 2010/04/30 (金) プレスリリース トレードについて". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). April 30, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
4. "Nikkansports Sports baseball news ソフトＢ復帰金子「ポスト川崎」宣言". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 1, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
5. "Nikkansports Sports baseball news ソフトＢ金子結婚 相手は21歳伊藤由奈似". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). March 20, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
6. "Sports Nippon baseball news ソフトB自由契約の金子 現役引退へ「オファーなかった」". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). November 30, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
7. "Nikkansports Sports baseball news ソフトバンク金子圭輔は球団広報に「想像つかない」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). February 18, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
8. "Sports Nippon baseball news ソフトバンクV5の力に！金子スコアラー、ホテル時間をデータ収集に有効活用 広報から今年転身". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). November 30, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2023.

External links

• Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Career statistics - NPB.jp (in Japanese)
• 91 Keisuke Kaneko PLAYERS2024 - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site