Akiyoshi Katsuno (勝野 昌慶, Katsuno Akiyoshi, born June 12, 1997) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons.

Akiyoshi Katsuno
勝野 昌慶
Katsuno with the Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons – No. 41
Pitcher
Born: (1997-06-12) June 12, 1997 (age 27)
Kani, Gifu, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
May 17, 2019, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record13-19
Earned run average3.73
Strikeouts217
Holds20
Saves1
Teams

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]

References

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  1. ^ "<新時代の旗手2019> 3位 投手・勝野昌慶(2)". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  2. ^ NPBエンタープライズ. "勝野 昌慶|社会人". Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  3. ^ "中日ドラ3勝野が仮契約、社会人日本一右腕 松坂との対面熱望". Sanspo. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  4. ^ "浅尾コーチ「勝野はバランス良し」 背番41に好反応". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-07.