Toru Murata

Toru Murata (村田 透, Murata Tōru, born May 20, 1985) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.

Toru Murata
Murata with the Cleveland Indians
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – No. 31
Pitcher
Born: (1985-05-20) May 20, 1985
Kumatori, Osaka, Japan
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 28, 2015, for the Cleveland Indians
NPB: April 2, 2017, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
MLB statistics
(through 2015 season)
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average8.10
Strikeouts2
NPB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record8-8
Earned run average3.18
Strikeouts130
Teams

Career

Yomiuri Giants

Murata attended Osaka Taiiku University.[1] In 2007, he was selected by the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball in the first round of the Japanese Draft and spent three years pitching in ni-gun—the Japanese minor league—before being released.[2][3]

Cleveland Indians

He joined the Cleveland Indians in December 2010, though his American career began before that—he pitched nine games for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League in 2009 and was named a "Rising Star."[4] In 2011, he made his debut in the Indians system, going 3–2 with 58 strikeouts, 37 hits, 10 walks and a 2.36 ERA in 49 2/3 innings for the Kinston Indians. Between the Carolina Mudcats, Akron Aeros and Triple-A Columbus Clippers in 2012, the hurler was 3–2 with a 2.89 ERA in 27 games (10 starts). In 74 2/3 innings, he allowed only 68 hits and 22 walks while striking out 66 batters. With Akron and Columbus in 2013, Murata was 6–9 with a 4.44 ERA in 28 starts. In 158 innings, he walked only 29 batters. In 2014, he was 10–7 with a 5.04 ERA in 27 games (20 starts) between Akron and Columbus. He allowed only 38 walks in 126 2/3 innings.

He has also played professionally in Panama and Venezuela.[5][6] He throws two fastballs, a cutter, a forkball, a slider, a curveball and changeup.[7]

Murata was called up for the first time in his career on June 28, 2015, to start against the Baltimore Orioles as the 26th man on the roster for a doubleheader.[8] After pitching in that one game, he returned to the Columbus Clippers, spending 2015 and 2016 there.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

On November 18, 2016, Murata signed with the Fighters and returned to NPB.

On December 2, 2020, he become a free agent.[9]　On December 24, 2020, he re-signed with the Fighters.[10]

References
  1. BR Minors page
  2. Cleveland Indians sign former Yomiuri Giant Toru Murata
  3. Scouting Reports on Toru Murata and Jeff Soptic-Off the Radar
  4. MiLB.com page
  5. Toru Murata espera adaptarse al beisbol venezolano
  6. Toru Murata Octavo Importado
  7. Indians Sign Toru Murata
  8. Hoynes, Paul (June 27, 2015). "Cleveland Indians spring surprise starter on Baltimore Orioles --- RHP Toru Murata". cleveland.com. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  9. "2020年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  10. "村田透投手と契約合意". 北海道日本ハムファイターズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). December 30, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
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