From Wikipedia - Reading time: 6 min
| Naoto Watanabe | |
|---|---|
Watanabe with the Yokohama BayStars | |
| Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles – No. 26 | |
| Infielder / Coach | |
| Born: October 15, 1980 Ibaraki, Japan | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| NPB debut | |
| April 17, 2007, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |
| NPB statistics | |
| Batting average | .259 |
| Hits | 855 |
| Runs batted in | 229 |
| Stolen bases | 115 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Naoto Watanabe (渡辺 直人, Watanabe Naoto, born October 15, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who currently serves as a coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Golden Eagles, Yokohama BayStars/Yokohama DeNA BayStars, and Saitama Seibu Lions.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles selected Watanabe with the fifth selection in the 2006 NPB draft.[1]
On April 7, 2007, Watanabe made his NPB debut.
On October 14, 2019, Watanabe become playing batting coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of NPB.[2]
On September 12, 2020, Watanabe announced his retirement after the season,[3] and next day he held press conference.[4]