Jumpei Takahashi

Jumpei Takahashi (高橋 純平, Takahashi Junpei; born May 8, 1997) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2016 to 2023 for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

Jumpei Takahashi
Takahashi in 2018
Pitcher
Born: (1997-05-08) May 8, 1997 (age 28) Japan
Batted: Right Threw: Right
NPB debut
April 14, 2017, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Last NPB appearance
2021, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
NPB statistics
Win–loss record	4-3
ERA	2.63
Strikeouts	72
Teams
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2016–2023)
Career highlights and awards
Japan Series Champion (2019)
Medals Men's baseball Representing  Japan U-18 Baseball World Cup 2015 Osaka Team

Early baseball career

Takahashi participated in the 3rd grade spring 87th Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament and the 3rd grade summer 97th Japanese High School Baseball Championship as an ace pitcher at Gifu Prefectural Gifu Commercial High School.

He was selected as the Japan national baseball team in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup.^[1]

Professional career

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

In the 2015 NPB draft, he was selected as the first pick for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Chunichi Dragons and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters where he was won in a lottery by the Hawks.^[2]

2016–2020 season

On 7 June 2016, Takahashi made his debut for the Hawks Western League team against the Dragons as a relief pitcher claiming the win after pitching 3 scoreless innings and claiming 3 strikeouts.^[3] He was selected for the Western League representative team for the 2016 Fresh All-Stars game in Okayama.^[4] He was the starting pitcher and threw 1 strikeout and gave up one hit in his single inning.^[5]

On April 14, 2017, Takahashi debuted in the Pacific League against the Orix Buffaloes as a relief pitcher.^[6] In 2017 season, he pitched only one game in the Pacific League.

In 2018 season, he didn't have a chance to pitch in the Pacific League and pitched in the Western League.^[7]

Takahashi finished 2019 season with a record of 3-2 with 42 starts as a Relief pitcher, with a 2.56 ERA, and a 17 Holds and a 58 strikeouts in 51 innings. In the 2019 Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants, he relief pitched in Game 2.^[8]

In 2020 season, Takahashi left the team in March with a pain in his right shoulder. He pitched in the Western League on September 1, but never had a chance to pitch in the Pacific League.^[9][10]

2021-2023 season

On April 23, 2021, Takahashi won the match against Chiba Lotte Marines for the first time in two years.^[11] He recorded a 1–1 Win–loss record, a 2 holds, and an ERA of 0.00 in 10 pitches, but ended the season with a broken right hand on May 7.^[12]

In 2022 season, he didn't have a chance to pitch in the first league, partly because he injured his adductor muscle in spring training and was late to the game.^[13]

In 2023 season, he didn't have a chance to pitch in the first league. On October 22, the Hawks announced they would release him.^[14]

On December 1, 2023, Takahashi announced that he would retire as an active player. He is also scheduled to be on the team's staff starting next season.^[15]