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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Koichi Emoto played in Japan Central League, Salinas

Koichi Emoto 1990 Salinas Spurs card
Koichi Emoto already had some good experience when he came to the United States in 1990.

He had time in three Nippon Professional Baseball seasons in Japan under his belt.

Loaned to the Salinas Spurs of the high-A California League for 1990, Emoto pitched well enough. But he didn't pitch well enough to continue his career in the United States, or for long in Japan.

Emoto's first recorded time in the pros came in 1987, with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japan Central League.

He signed with the Dragons after being taken in the fourth round of the 1984 draft, having graduated from Jogu High School in Japan. Emoto's name has also been spelled Kouichi Emoto, with the Japanese form of his name 江本晃一.

With the Dragons in 1987, Emoto picked up three wins and four losses over 36 outings, four starts. His ERA came in at 4.08.

He returned to the Dragons for 1988 and 1989. His 1988 stint consisted of just 12 outings, all in relief. He gave up 10 earned runs over 10.1 innings of work. His 1989 stint was even shorter, just three relief outings, two innings of work.

For 1990, Emoto moved to the Daiei Hawks in a trade. He also went to the United States and the minor leagues, provided on loan to Salinas. With Salinas, Emoto went 7-4 over 54 outings. His ERA came in a 3.07. He also picked up six saves.

His time with Salinas ended and Emoto returned to Japan. Under contract with the Daiei Hawks, Emoto's professional career appears to have ended in October 1991, with his release by Daiei.

Emoto has since gone into the business world, working at a transport company in 2008, according to his Wikipedia Japan page. He also has served as a baseball instructor.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,378
Made the Majors: 729 - 52.9%
Never Made Majors: 649-47.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 319
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 185

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