Koji Uehara is a Japanese Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He is currently a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. Uehara throws a high-80s four-seam fastball and a solid forkball as his primary pitches. He's never been a power pitcher anywhere, but still has a great K/BB ratio with his pinpoint command. Uehara graduated from the Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, and was drafted with the first pick by the Yomiuri Giants in 1998. He had a successful rookie year in 1999, with 15 consecutive wins which broke the all-time rookie record, claimed the Rookie of the... Year, Eiji Sawamura Award, and led in wins, ERA, strikeouts and winning percentage. In 2001, he finished with a 4.02 ERA, the highest of his career. However, in 2002, he rebounded, leading the Central League in wins and collected his second Sawamura Award. He was injured before the 2007 season which made him a late appearance, and in that season, he became a closer instead, recorded an 1.74 ERA with 4 wins, 3 losses and 32 saves.
more
| Birthdate: | April 3, 1975 |
| Birthplace: | Neyagawa |
| Age: | 37 |
| All Positions Played: | Pitcher, Relief pitcher |