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Kenta Bright
Japanese baseball player (born 1999) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kenta Adu Bright (ブライト健太, Bright Kenta Adu; May 7, 1999) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He made his NPB debut in 2023. The Dragons chose Bright with their first pick of the 2021 NPB draft.
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Early life
Bright was born in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan, on 7 May 1999 to a Ghanaian father and a Japanese mother.[1][2] He practiced judo from first grade to sixth grade,[3] which is when he switched to baseball.[1]
Amateur career
Bright attended Tokyo Metropolitan Katsushikano High School, playing as a first baseman on the baseball team. He hit a total of 38 home runs during his high school career.[1]
After high school, Bright played college baseball at Jobu University, members of the Kankoshin Student Baseball Federation. He was a reserve player until his third year due to his struggles hitting curveballs, but had a breakout season in year four.[1][4] Bright led his team to a league title, recording three home runs and 12 runs batted in (RBI) in the tournament and earning most valuable player honors.[1][2] He then hit two home runs in the 2021 All Japan University Baseball Championship, though they were defeated by Keio University in the semifinals.[2]
He submitted his name to the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft on September 24, 2021.[5]
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Professional career
On October 11, 2021, Bright was selected by the Chunichi Dragons in the first round of the 2021 NPB draft.[3] He signed his first professional contract on December 7, agreeing to an annual salary of ¥16 million (US$145,785.88) and a signing bonus of ¥100 million (US$911,161.73).[4] Bright chose the 42 jersey number in honor of Jackie Robinson.[6][7]
As a rookie in 2022, Bright suffered wrist and shoulder injuries that prevented him from playing with the first squad.[8] Instead, he recorded three home runs and 10 RBI in 46 Western League games played with the second squad.[8][9]
References
External links
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