Akiyoshi Katsuno

Akiyoshi Katsuno (勝野 昌慶, Katsuno Akiyoshi; born June 12, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Akiyoshi Katsuno 勝野 昌慶
Katsuno with the Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons – No. 41
Pitcher
Born: (1997-06-12) June 12, 1997 (age 28) Kani, Gifu, Japan
Bats: Right Throws: Right
NPB debut
May 17, 2019, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	14-20
Earned run average	3.51
Strikeouts	250
Teams
Chunichi Dragons (2019–present)

Career

Katsuno is a graduate of Gifu Prefectural Toki Commercial High School and played for the industrial league team, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagoya where he led his team to their first All-Japan Championship in 2018.^[1] He was also selected in the all industrial league Japanese representative team at the 2018 Asian Games.^[2]

On 25 October 2018, Katsuno was selected as the 3rd draft pick for the Chunichi Dragons at the 2018 NPB Draft and on 21 November signed a provisional contract with a ¥65,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥12,000,000 yearly salary.^[3] He was presented with the number 41 jersey previously worn by 2011 MVP winning reliever, Takuya Asao.^[4]