Akira Neo

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Akira Neo
根尾昂
A.Neo.jpg
Chunichi Dragons – No. 7
Infielder/Pitcher
Born: (2000-04-19) April 19, 2000 (age 21)
Hida, Gifu, Japan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
NPB debut
29 September 2019, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Batting average.080
Hits2
Homeruns0
RBIs0
Teams

Akira Neo (根尾昂, Neo Akira, born April 19, 2000 in Hida, Gifu, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays infielder for the Chunichi Dragons.

Early career[]

A highly touted two-way talent when playing for Osaka Tōin High School, Neo contributed to his school's back to back wins at the 2018 spring invitational tournament and the summer national championships.[1]

On 20 October 2018, Neo was the contested 1st draft pick for the Chunichi Dragons, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Tokyo Yomiuri Giants at the 2018 NPB Draft.[2] Rights to negotiate for Neo's contract were won by the Dragons.[2][3][4][5] On 4 November, Neo signed a pre-contract with the Dragons guaranteeing a ¥100,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥15,000,000 yearly salary with ¥50,000,000 in incentives.[6]

Professional career[]

Chunichi Dragons[]

2019[]

Neo had been earmarked to start spring training with the first team,[7] but a pulled calf during an individual training session on 24 January confirmed a start with the second team.[8]

Neo has a slow start in the Western League batting under .200 for the first few months of his professional career before hitting .324 during the month of June.[9]

On July 10, it was confirmed that Neo would be starting the annual Fresh All-Stars game for the Western League alongside fellow 2018 draftees, Kōdai Umetsu and Kōta Ishibashi.[10]

Play style[]

Primarily playing at short, Neo amassed 32 home runs in his high school career as well as clocking 150 km/h (93 mph) on his fastball as a pitcher.[11] He can run 50 metres in 6 seconds flat and has a throwing range of 115 meters.[11]

Personal life[]

Neo was a Japanese champion alpine skier in middle school and represented Japan at an international tournament in Italy.[12] As a middle-school student, Neo played for Hida Boys with Kenshin Kakikoshi with whom he was reunited by with the Dragons at the 2018 draft. [13]

References[]

  1. ^ "Osaka Toin wins Senbatsu high school baseball tournament for 2nd straight year". Mainichi Daily News. 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "中日ドラ１根尾、投手「ゼロじゃない」／一問一答 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Chunichi's 1st draft pick Akira Neo: I wouldn't rule out pitching/ 1 question 1 answer]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  3. ^ "Baseball: Dragons win rights to top prospect Neo in NPB draft". Kyodo News. 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
  4. ^ "Neo picked by Chunichi in NPB draft, says he feels 'special connection' with team". Mainichi Daily News. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
  5. ^ "Dragons secure negotiating rights with Osaka Toin's Akira Neo". The Japan Times Online. 2018-10-25. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
  6. ^ "中日１位根尾が最高条件で仮契約「ショート一本で」 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Chunichi's #1 Draft pick Neo signs pre-contract at maximum amount "Only shortstop"]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  7. ^ "中日Ｄ１・根尾、１軍スタート「濃い練習を」" [Neo to start with first team "(I'm looking forward to) intense training"]. Sanspo (in Japanese). 2019-01-22. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  8. ^ "中日・根尾、「右腓腹筋の軽度の肉離れ」キャンプ二軍スタート ｜ ショウアップナイター" [Chunichi Neo "Light right calf strain" means start with second team.]. Baseball King (in Japanese). 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  9. ^ "【ファーム竜情報】 根尾、初の３安打＆全打席出塁". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  10. ^ "フレッシュオールスター、ウエスタンの遊撃は根尾昂。両リーグ先発メンバーを発表". Baseball Channel (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "大阪桐蔭・根尾「何か縁が」４球団競合中日が交渉権 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Osaka Toin's Neo "there's a connection"; among competition of 4 Chunichi secures negotiating rights]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  12. ^ Akasaka, Eiichi. "野球選手の人生は13歳で決まる（1）想像を絶する有力校の争奪戦（赤坂 英一）" [Baseballer's life is decided at 13; 1. big competition at good school]. Gendai (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  13. ^ "【ドラフト会議】山梨学院 垣越建伸、中日が5位指名！根尾と元チームメイト 最速146キロの大型左腕" [Draft Meeting: Yamanashi Gakuin's Kenshin Kakikoshi selected 5th for the Dragons; Neo's former team-mate; left armer with 146 km/g max velo]. 高校野球ニュース (in Japanese). 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2019-01-04.


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