Yūya Yanagi

Yūya Yanagi (柳 裕也, Yanagi Yūya, born April 22, 1994 in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons.

Yūya Yanagi
柳 裕也
Chunichi Dragons – No. 17
Pitcher
Born: (1994-04-22) April 22, 1994
Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, Japan
Bats: Right Throws: Right
NPB debut
May 23, 2017, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win-loss record20-23
Innings pitched359.1
Earned run average3.93
Strikeouts321
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Yanagi pitched for Yokohama High School at the Japanese High School Baseball Championship and captained his Meiji University side to the 2016 Meiji Jingu Tournament title.[1] He has represented Japan at national level in various age groups on several occasions.

Early career

Early life

Yanagi started playing baseball in 3rd grade for Shibita Boys Sports and when in 6th grade he captured the Japanese national championship.[2]

At around the same time, Yanagi's father died in a traffic accident when Yanagi was 12 years old where he represented his family in mourning.[3][4] At Miyakonojo Municipal Komatsubara Junior High, Yanagi played for Miyakonojo Seniors. In his 3rd year he was selected in the Japanese national team where he helped the team to victory in a USSSA Championship in 2009 where he was also awarded the Cy Young Award for the tournament as best pitcher.[5][6]

Yokohama High School

After joining Yokohama Senior High School, in his junior year, Yanagi participated in the 83rd Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament. In the first round against Nagasaki Prefectural Hasami High School, Yanagi pitched 3 innings in relief giving up just 2 hits and taking 6 strikeouts for one earned run however his team was kept quiet by Hasami ace, Ryoma Matsuda meaning Yokohama were knocked out of the tournament.[7] In Summer of his junior year at the Kanagawa prefectural tournament, he threw down 8 innings for 1 run against 83rd Invitational Tournament winners and Masaru Watanabe led Tokai University Sagami High School helping the team to win.[5] In the tournament final, Yanagi would have a showdown with Toko Gakuen's Yuki Matsui where he threw down 8 innings for 1 earned run where his team would be walk-off winners in the 10th inning allowing them to advance to the 93rd Japanese High School Baseball Championship. In the second round against Kenya Nagasaka led Takasaki Health & Welfare University High school, Yanagi pitched 5 scoreless frames before giving up 5 runs in the 6th inning. His team, however, would rally to win in the 10th inning.[8] In the third round against Chiben Gakuen High school pitching off against a battery of Daiki Aoyama and Katsushi Nakamichi, Yanagi was able to keep his opponent to one run through 8 innings but was withdrawn after giving up a hit to the lead-off batter in the 9th inning, his replacement, however, would unfortunately give up the game in a come-from-behind loss.[9]

In spring of his 3rd year at the 84th Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, Yanagi tossed a 3-hit complete game shutout against a Ren Wada led Kochi High School.[10] In the second round against Seiko Gakuen high school, Yanagi pitched 9 innings for 1 earned run as well as going 5–3 with a homerun with the bat to lead his team to a 7–1 victory.[11] In the quarter-finals against Kanto Daiichi ace Yusuke Nomura, Yanagi pitched 8 innings for 2 earned runs but would give up the winning runs to Kanto in the 9th leading to his team's exit from the tournament.[12] In the summer Kanagawa prefectural tournament, Yanagi would once again come up against Yuki Matsui and Toko Gakuen where his team would be bundled out 3–4 in the quarter finals.[13]

At Koshien Stadium, Yanagi finished with career statistics of 6 games played, 42 2/3 innings pitched, 37 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.74. At his time at Yokohama, Yanagi played alongside future pros Tomo Otosaka, Kensuke Kondo, Yuto Takahama and Daiki Asama.

Meiji University

After entering Meiji University, Yanagi started playing in fall of his first year in the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League. At the 44th Meiji Jingu Tournament, against Seisa Dohto University, Yanagi threw 5 scoreless innings in a 4–1 victory.[14] In fall of his sophomore year, Yanagi became the team ace where he went 3–1 in decisions with a 2.21 ERA to help lead his team to the title. At the 45th Meiji Jingu Tournament, he threw 6 scoreless innings in relief over 3 games, helping the team to runners-up. In Summer of his junior year, Yanagi was called up to the Japanese national team for the 2015 Summer Universiade.

In the following fall, Yanagi threw a league top 60 innings, recording 5 wins[15] and gaining selection in the best 9.[16]

In what would become his 4th year, Yanagi became team captain where he threw in 10 games recording a 6-1 record with a league-leading 0.87 ERA and 87 strikeouts where he would once again be selected in the best 9 to contribute to Meji's first spring league win in 3 years.[17] At the 65th Japanese Collegiate National Championships in the first game against Kansai University of International Studies, Yanagi would make an appearance in relief but his team would ultimately lose out in a tie-breaker.[18]

Following the tournament, Yanagi was selected for the Japanese collegiate national team for the USA vs Japan Collegiate All-Star Series.[19] In the second game as a starter, Yanagi threw 7 innings including 8 consecutive punch-outs and 12 strikeouts in total.[20] In the 5th game, Yanagi would once again show his prowess as a starter taking 7 strikeouts over 5 games where he helped his team to victory in the tournaments while Yanagi himself was selected as tournament MVP and as best pitcher.[21] Following the tournament, Yanagi was also selected to play in the 2016 Haarlem Baseball Week tournament.[22]

In fall of his 4th year, Yanagi took his 300th career strikeout, allowing him to enter the top 15 strikeout leaders in Tokyo Big6 history.[23] Against Waseda University he recorded 20 strikeouts in 12 inning complete game.[24] With 5 wins and a 1.64 ERA, Yanagi once again captured Best 9 honours and contributed to his team winning the league once more.[25]

In the 47th Meiji Jingu Tournament in the first game against Kansai University, Yanagi hurled 5 scoreless innings and in the semi-finals against Jobu University he threw a further 7 scoreless innings while hitting a homerun. In the final against J. F. Oberlin University, pitching off against Chihaya Sasaki, Yanagi let up a 2-run lead before being replaced in the 4th inning but his team would rally with Tomoya Hoshi throwing down the remaining innings scoreless leading to Meiji University's first national title.[26]

Over his college career, Yanagi had a record of 23-8, 288.1 IP, 338 SO and a 1.84 ERA. At Meiji University, Yanagi played alongside future pros Sachiya Yamasaki, Kento Itohara, Kenta Uehara, Seishirō Sakamoto, Shun Takayama, Tomoya Hoshi, Keita Sano and Katsushi Nakamichi.

2016 Nippon Professional Baseball draft

On 20 October 2016, Yanagi was the contested first round pick between the Chunichi Dragons and the Yokohama DeNA Baystars at the 2016 NPB Draft but was selected by the Dragons in a lottery and on 29 November signed a provisional contract with a ¥100,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥15,000,000 yearly salary with ¥50,000,000 in incentives.[27]

Professional career

2017

Expected to be an immediate contributor,[28] Yanagi was groomed in Spring training to become a part of the starting day rotation[29] and was even challenged to become opening day starter by manager, Shigekazu Mori.[30] Unfortunately, before the start of the 2017 NPB season, Yanagi was injured.[31] Yanagi spent time with the farm team recuperating and pitched 16 scoreless innings with the lower grade team[32] before being registered for the Dragons top team for the first time on May 21.[33] Yanagi made his debut on May 23[34] with one scoreless inning against the Yokohama DeNA Baystars. On May 28, he was given his first substantial work as a pitcher as he came in for 3 innings of long relief against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows after Raul Valdes gave up 6 runs in his first two innings where he took 4 strikeouts for 1 earned run.[35]

On 18 June, Yanagi claimed his first professional win against the Seibu Lions where he pitched out 7 innings giving up 7 hits and 3 earned runs.[36]

Yanagi ended the season starting 7 games with a 1–4 record, 4.47 ERA and 45 strikeouts.

2018

On 10 April against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Yanagi threw a 2-hit, 6 strikeout, complete game shut-out to mark the first of his career.[37] This was the first complete game shutout of the 2018 NPB season.[37]

Yanagi ended his second season having thrown 53.1 innings over 10 starts for a 5.23 ERA and 42 strikeouts.

2019

Yanagi began the season in the starting rotation where he went 9–2 for a 2.73 ERA before the All-Star break. He was subsequently added to the 2019 Central League All-Star roster by manager selection where he pitched 2 innings in relief for 3 earned runs in the second game of the series.[38] On 14 June, Yanagi fanned a career-high 13 batters in 1-run complete game against the Chiba Lotte Marines.[39] At the end of interleague Yanagi was awarded Valuable Player award NPB leading 1.17 ERA.[40] Yanagi would only claim 2 more wins in the second half of the season but would be the only Dragons pitcher to register double-digit wins. During the season he started against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 9 times with the Yakult hitters' acclimatization to his pitching touted as a reason for his poorer second half results.[41] Yanagi finished the season with a 11-7 record, 170.1 IP and a 3.53 ERA effectively making his break-out season.

Confirming his ability to perform at the highest level, Yanagi's salary was increased three-fold to \45,000,000 for the 2020 season.[42]

Playing style

From an overhand slot, Yanagi throws a four-seam, a cutter and a curveball.[43][44] Ahead of the 2020 season, Yanagi reported to have added a sinker to his pitch mix.[45]

At college his fastball topped out at 150 km/h [46] and is said to get good vertical spin on his fastball. His curveball has been clocked at 110 km/h and is said to have had so much significant downward movement that unless that catcher signaled for a curve, they wouldn't be able to catch it.[44] After going pro, Yanagi's average speed had been in the 130 km/h range[47] but by 2019 had worked this up to an average speed in the 140km/h range.[48]

Personal

Yanagi is a big fan of Daisuke Matsuzaka and his fandom played a big role in his desire to play at the same school as his idol, Yokohama High School.[2]

References
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  2. "野球人生変えた「怪物」への憧れ 中日ドラ1右腕が横浜高を選んだ理由" [Admiration for the monster that changed (my) baseball life. The reason Dragons #1 pick Yanagi chose Yokohama HS]. Full Count (in Japanese). 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  3. "【中日】ドラ１柳、小６時に他界した父に捧ぐプロ初勝利 : スポーツ報知" [Dragons #1 pick Yanagi tributes first win to father who died when he was in grade6]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). 2017-10-12. Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  4. Harimaya, Takumi (2017-06-18). "小学6年生のときに父を亡くした野球少年。"父の日"にプロ初勝利を挙げた" [The boy who lost his father in grade 6 puts up "father's day" first win.]. Buzzfeed Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  5. "横浜・柳が好投＆決勝打／神奈川大会 - 高校野球ニュース" [Yokohama HS: Yanagi pitches well, hits game winner/ Kanagawa Tournament]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  6. "少年野球全米選手権大会に日本代表として出場" 少年野球全米選手権大会に日本代表として出場 [Representing Japan at the USSSA Tournament]. JoyFM (in Japanese). 2009-08-29. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
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  8. "健大高崎－横浜 - 試合速報 - 第93回夏甲子園 - 高校野球 - SANSPO.COM" 健大高崎－横浜 - 試合速報 - 第93回夏甲子園 - 高校野球 - SANSPO.COM [Kendai Takasaki - Yokohama - play-by-play - 93rd Summer Koshien - High School baseball]. Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 2013-09-24. Archived from the original on 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  9. "智弁学園－横浜 - 試合速報 - 第93回夏甲子園 - 高校野球 - SANSPO.COM" 智弁学園－横浜 - 試合速報 - 第93回夏甲子園 - 高校野球 - SANSPO.COM [Chiben Gakuen - Yokohama - play-by-play - 93rd Summer Koshein - High school baseball]. Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 2016-12-29. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
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  11. "第84回センバツ高校野球、横浜対聖光学院のスコア速報" [84th Senbatsu HS Baseball, Seiko v Yokohama score play-by-play]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  12. "第84回センバツ高校野球、関東一対横浜のスコア速報" [84th Senbatsu High School Baseball, Daiichi v Yokohama play-by-play]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
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  16. "2015秋季リーグ戦 ベストナイン" [2015 Fall League Best 9]. www.big6.gr.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  17. "明大・柳が４冠！Ｖ導いた鉄腕「防御率は目標にしていた」" 明大・柳が４冠！Ｖ導いた鉄腕「防御率は目標にしていた」 [Meidai: Yanagi tops 3 categories! The iron arm that led victoriously "(topping the league in) ERA was my goal"]. Sponichi (in Japanese). 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  18. "明大、タイブレークで競り負け初戦敗退" 明大、タイブレークで競り負け初戦敗退 [Meidai, bundled out in first round after tie-break loss]. Daily Sports (in Japanese). 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  19. "侍ジャパン大学代表24名が決定、出場選手発表記者会見" 侍ジャパン大学代表24名が決定、出場選手発表記者会見 [Samurai Japan 24 members selected; press release.]. Japan Baseball (in Japanese). 2016-06-19. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  20. "【侍ジャパン大学】Ｇ今秋ドラ１候補の明大・柳、上原超えの８連続Ｋ！ : スポーツ報知" 【侍ジャパン大学】Ｇ今秋ドラ１候補の明大・柳、上原超えの８連続Ｋ！ : スポーツ報知 [Collegiate Samurai Japan: Draft #1 shortlisted Meidai's Yanagi encompasses Uehara with 8 consecutives Ks!]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). 2016-07-22. Archived from the original on 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  21. "【侍ジャパン大学】連覇！柳がＭＶＰ＆最優秀投手" 【侍ジャパン大学】連覇！柳がＭＶＰ＆最優秀投手 : スポーツ報知 [Collegiate Samurai Japan: Consecutive wins! Yanagi is MVP and best pitcher]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). 2016-07-22. Archived from the original on 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  22. "第28回 ハーレムベースボールウィーク 2016 東京六大学選抜チームが日本代表として出場" 第28回 ハーレムベースボールウィーク 2016 東京六大学選抜チームが日本代表として出場 [28th Haarlem Baseball week 2016 Tokyo Big6 University selection team]. Big6 Baseball (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-02-10.
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  24. "明大・柳 ２０Ｋ１２回完投！西武・渡辺ＳＤ「すぐに投げられる１番手」" 明大・柳 ２０Ｋ１２回完投！西武・渡辺ＳＤ「すぐに投げられる１番手」 [Meidai's Yanagi 20K 12 inning shut out. Seibu Senior Director Watanabe "(he's) the best option to throw immediately (in the top team)"]. Sponichi (in Japanese). 2016-10-16. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
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  28. Yokoo, Hirokazu (1 November 2016). "柳や京田らは即戦力の期待大。最下位も中日が大量指名による大規模な戦力の入れ替えを行わなかった理由" [Immediate contribution the big expectation for Yanagi and Kyoda. The reason why last place Chunichi chose for a massive overhaul.]. Baseball Channel (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  29. "【中日】柳、早くも開幕ローテ"内定"友利コーチ「試合つくれる」" [Chunichi's Yanagi given unofficial offer to starting day rotation by Tomori]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  30. "中日森監督、ドラ１柳に開幕投手期待「手を挙げて」" [Chunichi's manager Mori's opening day expectation for Yanagi "Put your hand up!"]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 5 February 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  31. "【中日】森監督、ドラ１柳に早期１軍復帰指令「早く出てきてくれないとこちらも困る」" [Chunichi's manager Mori on wanting to get Yanagi up quickly "If he doesn't appear soon, I'm in a tough spot too"]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). 27 March 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  32. "＜ファーム＞柳、８イニング１安打無失点" [Farm Yanagi throws 8 scoreless innings for one-hit.]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 15 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  33. "中日 ドラ１柳が１軍登録、大野は抹消" [Dragons #1 draft pick registered, (Yudai) Ono de-registered]. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). 21 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  34. "柳、上々デビュー" [Yanagi's encouraging debut]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 24 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  35. "柳、収穫３イニング４Ｋ" [Yanagi rakes 4Ks in his 3 innings.]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 29 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  36. "中日 ドラ１柳がプロ初勝利 チームは交流戦５割で終了" [Draft #1 Yanagi claims first win; Dragons finish interleague over .500]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 18 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  37. "中日柳プロ初完封 好調ヤクルトを２安打に封じる" [Chunichi's Yanagi's first pro CGSO, holds in-form Yakult to two hits]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  38. "＜柳・球宴手記＞結果以上に充実 同期の京田と出られたことも感慨". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  39. Coskrey, Jason (2019-06-14). "Dragons starter Yuya Yanagi fans 13 in electrifying complete-game effort". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  40. "中日・柳 交流戦「日本生命賞」に笑顔 賞金100万円は「家族をご飯に」― スポニチ Sponichi Annex 野球" [Yanagi received "Nihon Life Award" with a smile, receives 10M prize money. "I'm going to take my family out for dinner"]. Sponichi (in Japanese). 2020-03-03. Archived from the original on 2020-03-03. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  41. "3要素重なり珍現象…ツバメを"カモ"と呼べぬ中日・柳『ヤクルト戦9先発』の怪 「最初は良かったけど…」". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  42. "中日柳「３倍」4500万円で更改 新フォーム自信 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  43. "小６で喪主 中日ドラ１柳 父の日に天国へ届け…初勝利「伝えたいです」" 小６で喪主 中日ドラ１柳 父の日に天国へ届け…初勝利「伝えたいです」 [Chief mourner in grade 6, Chunichi's 1st pick Yanagi, send his first win to his father in heaven on his father's day "I want to tell him"]. Sponichi (in Japanese). 2017-06-19. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  44. Shimuz, Takeshi (2016-10-14). "明大・柳裕也がドラ１候補に挙がる理由 完成度の高さと学生随一の人間力" [The reason Meidai's Yuya Yanagi is a #1 pick; high polish, best engine]. Yahoo Sports! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  45. "中日柳が新球シンカー封印示唆「シーズンでもない」 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Chunichi's Yanagi's seals suggestion on new sinker "It's not even season"]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2020-03-19. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  46. "【明治神宮大会】中日・ドラ１柳＆ヤクルト・ドラ２星の豪華リレーで明大初戦突破 : スポーツ報知" 【明治神宮大会】中日・ドラ１柳＆ヤクルト・ドラ２星の豪華リレーで明大初戦突破 : スポーツ報知 [Meiji Jingu Tournament - Chunichi #1 Yanagi and Yakuly #2 Hoshi with a luxurious relay to lead to Meidai's first victory]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). 2017-10-27. Archived from the original on 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  47. Tatsunami, Kazuyoshi (2018-05-07). "立浪和義コラム「柳裕也選手への期待」" [Kazuyoshi Tatsunami's column "The expectation on Yuya Yanagi"]. Baseball Online (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  48. "中日・柳裕也 開花の３年目／前半戦のMVP". Baseball Online (in Japanese). 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
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