Bo Takahashi

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Kaimoti and the second or paternal family name is Takahashi.

Bo Takahashi
Takahashi with the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2022
Saitama Seibu Lions – No. 42
Pitcher
Born: (1997-01-23) January 23, 1997 (age 27) Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
KBO: September 25, 2021, for the Kia Tigers
NPB: April 2, 2022, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
KBO statistics (through 2021 season)
Win–loss record	1–3
Earned run average	4.91
Strikeouts	46
NPB statistics (through 2023 season)
Win–loss record	0–1
ERA	2.79
Strikeouts	53
Teams
Kia Tigers (2021) Saitama Seibu Lions (2022–present)

Rodrigo Hitoshi "Bo" Kaimoti Takahashi (born January 23, 1997) is a Brazilian professional baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers.

Career

Arizona Diamondbacks

Takahashi signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international free agent on December 23, 2013.^[1]

He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Diamondbacks in 2014, going 3–4 with a 4.39 ERA in 41 innings. He played for the Missoula Osprey in 2015, going 8–1 with a 4.66 ERA in 77+1⁄3 innings. He split the 2016 season between the Hillsboro Hops, Kane County Cougars, and Visalia Rawhide, combining to go 6–4 with a 2.81 ERA over 83+1⁄3 innings. He split the 2017 season between Kane County and Visalia, combining to go 7–12 with a 5.14 ERA over 126 innings. He was a 2017 California League mid-season All Star.^[2] His 2018 season was split between Visalia and the Jackson Generals, combining to go 6–6 with a 4.03 ERA in 120+2⁄3 innings. He played for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League following the 2018 season.^[3]

The Diamondbacks added him to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.^[4] He opened the 2019 season back with Jackson.^[5] On August 18, 2019, the Diamondbacks promoted Takahashi to the major leagues.^[6] He was optioned to Jackson on August 20 without appearing in an MLB game in 2019.^[7] He finished the 2019 season going 9–7 with a 3.72 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 118+2⁄3 innings for Jackson.

On October 27, 2020, Takahashi was outrighted off of the 40-man roster, without having made a major league appearance.^[8] He elected free agency on November 2.^[9]

Cincinnati Reds

On December 18, 2020, Takahashi signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.^[10] Takahashi appeared in 18 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, recording a 4.45 ERA with 89 strikeouts. On August 25, 2021, Takahashi was released by the Reds.^[11]

Kia Tigers

On August 28, 2021, Takahashi signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.^[12] Takahashi posted a 4.18 ERA in 6 starts for the Tigers.

Saitama Seibu Lions

On December 16, 2021, Takahashi signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2022 season.^[13] Takahashi re-signed on a one-year deal for the 2023 season.

In 2023, Takahashi made 28 appearances out of the bullpen for Seibu, registering a 3.00 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 36.0 innings of work. On November 10, 2023, the Lions re–signed Takahashi to a one–year contract with the intention to utilize him as a starting pitcher.^[14]

International career

In 2016, he played for the Brazil national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualification and competed again for Brazil at the 2021 World Baseball Classic qualification in Tucson, Arizona.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Takahashi is a Brazilian of Japanese descent.^[15] He is fluent in the English, Portuguese, and Spanish languages, and can also understand Japanese.^[16]

References

1. Vongni Yang (April 15, 2018). "Visalia Rawhide pitcher Bo Takahashi knows baseball". Visalia Times-Delta. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
2. "Bo Takahashi Stats, Fantasy & News". Archived from the original on 2019-10-21. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
3. Jim Callis (May 24, 2018). "D-backs Bo Takahashi sharp in Fall League". MLB.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
4. "D-backs add Clarke, Cron, Payamps, Takahashi & Vargas to 40-man roster". MLB.com. November 20, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
5. RotoWire Staff (March 12, 2019). "Diamondbacks' Bo Takahashi: Sent to Double-A". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
6. RotoWire Staff (August 18, 2019). "Diamondbacks' Bo Takahashi: Recalled from Double-A". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
7. Arizona Sports (August 20, 2019). "D-backs recall INF Ildemaro Vargas, option RHP Bo Takahashi to Double-A". Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
8. "Diamondbacks Outright Silvino Bracho, Bo Takahashi".
9. "Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
10. "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/18/20".
11. "Bo Takahashi Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
12. "Minor MLB Transactions: 8/27/21".
13. "西武、新助っ人ボー・タカハシの獲得を発表 今季韓国でプレーしたブラジル人右腕（Full-Count）".
14. "Seibu announces Bo Takahashi's stay In the third year, he will be converted to the starting line … GM Watanabe "Remain the results firmly"". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
15. Alex Simon (January 3, 2019). "Journey of D-backs' Takahashi shows value of being multilingual". Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
16. Jose Romero (December 4, 2018). "Brazil's next hope: Bo Takahashi ready for the call". lavidabaseball.com. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved August 18, 2019.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference (Minors)