Bo Takahashi

1.1. Birth and Upbringing

Takahashi was born on January 23, 1997, in Presidente Prudente^Portuguese, a city in São Paulo state, Brazil. He is a third-generation Japanese-Brazilian, meaning his grandparents immigrated to Brazil from Japan. This background provided him with a multicultural upbringing that would later prove beneficial in his international baseball career. He attended Anglo Prudentino High School in Brazil before embarking on his professional journey.

1.2. Personal Characteristics

Known for his approachable and amiable personality, Takahashi quickly became a mood maker within his teams, particularly after joining the Saitama Seibu Lions. He is a skilled multilingual speaker, fluent in English, Portuguese (specifically Brazilian Portuguese), and Spanish. Furthermore, he possesses the ability to understand Japanese, which aids his communication within the Nippon Professional Baseball environment. In interviews in Japan, he has sometimes responded in Spanish. His nickname "Bo" was adopted for his registered name in Japan to foster a sense of familiarity with the Japanese public. A significant inspiration for Takahashi in baseball is Daisuke Matsuzaka, a revered Japanese pitcher. Takahashi expressed great excitement and called it a "dream come true" to have the opportunity to play catch with Matsuzaka.

2.1. Arizona Diamondbacks Organization (2014-2020)

Takahashi signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international free agent on December 23, 2013, at the age of 16. He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks on May 16, 2014, recording a 3-4 win-loss record with a 4.39 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched.

In 2015, he played for the rookie-level Missoula Osprey in the Pioneer League, where he posted an 8-1 record with a 4.66 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 77.3 innings across 15 starts. The 2016 season saw him split time between the Low-A Hillsboro Hops, Single-A Kane County Cougars, and High-A Visalia Rawhide. Combined, he went 6-4 with a 2.81 ERA and 67 strikeouts over 83.3 innings in 19 appearances (17 starts).

Takahashi continued to progress in 2017, playing for Kane County and Visalia. Despite a challenging 7-12 record with a 5.14 ERA, he managed 107 strikeouts over 126 innings and was recognized as a 2017 California League mid-season All-Star. His 2018 season was divided between Visalia and the Double-A Jackson Generals. That year, he recorded a 6-6 record with a 4.03 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 120.7 innings pitched across 23 starts. Notably, this was the first time in his career that his strikeout total exceeded his innings pitched (53 strikeouts in 47.7 innings with Visalia and 77 strikeouts in 73 innings with Jackson). Following the 2018 season, Takahashi participated in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters.

On November 20, 2018, the Diamondbacks added Takahashi to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He began the 2019 season back with Jackson. On August 18, 2019, Takahashi was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. However, he was optioned back to Jackson on August 20 without appearing in an MLB game, making him a phantom ballplayer. He concluded the 2019 season with Jackson, holding a 9-7 record with a 3.72 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 118.7 innings.

Takahashi did not appear in any games for the Arizona organization in 2020, as the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 27, 2020, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Reno Aces, electing free agency on November 2.

2.2. Cincinnati Reds Organization (2020-2021)

On December 18, 2020, Takahashi signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization, which included an invitation to their 2021 spring training. During his time with the Reds, he made 18 appearances (17 starts) for the Triple-A Louisville Bats. He recorded a 3-7 record with a 4.45 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 89 innings pitched. On August 25, 2021, Takahashi was released by the Reds.

2.3. Kia Tigers (2021)

Takahashi signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League on August 26, 2021, as a replacement for Aaron Brooks. His contract was valued at a total of 160.00 K USD, comprising a transfer fee of 100.00 K USD and a salary of 60.00 K USD. His signing marked a significant moment, as he became the first Brazilian player in the history of the KBO.

He arrived in Korea on September 4, 2021, and underwent a two-week self-quarantine period. Following his quarantine, he conducted a live pitching session on September 20, throwing 60 pitches with a top speed of 93 mph ^{(150 km/h)}. His performance in this session satisfied then-manager Matt Williams, who praised his velocity and command.

Takahashi made his KBO debut on September 25, 2021, against the SSG Landers, delivering a strong performance with four scoreless innings. He secured his first KBO League win on October 1, 2021, against the Kiwoom Heroes, pitching six scoreless innings. However, he subsequently experienced struggles, recording his first loss against the LG Twins and giving up 16 runs (15 earned) in 16.1 innings over three games. Although he pitched six scoreless innings against the NC Dinos on October 24, his team lost that game. In his final appearance of the season against the Kiwoom Heroes, he was the losing pitcher after allowing five earned runs in 4.1 innings. Overall for the Kia Tigers, he made six starts, achieving a 1-2 record with a 4.18 ERA in 32.1 innings. Following the season, he was placed on Kia's retained player list, but a re-contract agreement could not be reached, leading to his departure.

2.4. Saitama Seibu Lions (2022-present)

On December 16, 2021, Takahashi signed a one-year contract with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball, with an estimated annual salary of 20.00 M JPY. He was assigned uniform number 42.

His arrival in Japan in 2022 was delayed until March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After making two appearances in the Eastern League (the NPB's minor league), he was called up to the first team on April 1. He made his NPB debut on April 2, 2022, against the Chiba Lotte Marines, pitching one scoreless inning in relief. Initially, he was primarily used in games where the score difference was significant. After allowing a run against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on April 8, he went on a streak of 13 consecutive scoreless innings over 11 appearances, lasting until the end of interleague play. He recorded his first NPB hold on July 23, 2022, against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Despite two brief deactivations from the roster due to special COVID-19 protocols in July and August, he spent most of the season with the first team. For the 2022 season, he made 27 appearances as a reliever, finishing with a 0-0 record, two holds, and a 2.56 ERA over 31.7 innings. On December 1, 2022, the Lions renewed his contract, with an estimated annual salary of 35.00 M JPY.

In 2023, Takahashi was activated on May 3 and made his season debut on May 5 against the Orix Buffaloes, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings. He frequently pitched multiple innings in relief throughout the season. He was briefly deactivated on August 25 but reactivated on September 13, before being removed again on September 25 to conclude his season. He made 28 relief appearances, posting a 0-1 record with a 3.00 ERA over 36 innings pitched. On November 11, 2023, the Lions re-signed Takahashi, with General Manager Hisanobu Watanabe stating the intention to transition him to a starting pitcher role for the upcoming season. His estimated annual salary remained 35.00 M JPY.

In 2024, Takahashi maintained strong performances during spring training, securing a spot in the Lions' opening rotation. He made his first NPB start on April 4, 2024, against the Orix Buffaloes at Belluna Dome. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, two walks, two strikeouts, and two runs (one earned), ultimately taking the loss. Due to the team's irregular schedule, he was deactivated on April 5 but returned to the rotation after one minor league appearance. He secured his first NPB win and first start win on April 25, 2024, against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, pitching 5.7 innings and allowing one earned run. Although he continued to hold a spot in the rotation, including a brief deactivation in early June due to pitching intervals, he often lacked run support, receiving only four runs of support in seven starts. He also experienced unearned runs due to fielding errors. By the end of interleague play, his record as a starter was 1-5 with a 3.55 ERA. As the regular season resumed, and due to a congested schedule and the return of Natsuki Takeuchi from COVID-19, Takahashi made his first relief appearance of the season on June 23 against Orix. He pitched two innings, allowing one run (unearned). He made two more starts without earning a win. On July 15, he made his second relief appearance of the season in a close game against Orix, pitching a scoreless eighth inning with one strikeout to earn his first hold of the season. He continued to support the bullpen for the rest of the season. For the 2024 season, Takahashi made 33 appearances (9 starts), finishing with a 2-9 record and seven holds, alongside a 3.22 ERA.

3.1. World Baseball Classic Qualification

Takahashi played for the Brazil national baseball team in the qualification rounds for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, which took place in 2016. Brazil did not advance to the main tournament. He competed for Brazil again in the qualification rounds for the World Baseball Classic in Tucson, Arizona.

4.1. Pitching Style and Repertoire

Takahashi's pitching style is characterized by his assertive approach, particularly his willingness to challenge left-handed batters on the inside part of the plate. His primary pitch is a fastball, which has been recorded at speeds up to 95 mph ^{(153 km/h)} (95 mph). In addition to his fastball, he effectively utilizes a range of secondary pitches, including a slider, curveball, forkball, changeup, and a two-seam fastball. His slider has been noted by opposing batters as particularly effective.

5.1. Year-by-Year Pitching Statistics

• Statistics as of the end of the 2024 season.

5.2. Year-by-Year Fielding Statistics

• Statistics as of the end of the 2024 season.

5.3. Notable Achievements and Records

Bo Takahashi has achieved several "firsts" during his career in Nippon Professional Baseball:

• First NPB appearance: April 2, 2022, against the Chiba Lotte Marines at ZOZO Marine Stadium, as the fifth relief pitcher, completing one scoreless inning.
• First strikeout: April 5, 2022, against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at Miyagi Baseball Stadium, striking out Haruki Nishikawa looking in the sixth inning.
• First hold: July 23, 2022, against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at Belluna Dome, as the sixth relief pitcher in the twelfth inning, pitching 0.7 scoreless innings.
• First NPB start: April 4, 2024, against the Orix Buffaloes at Belluna Dome, pitching 5.3 innings and allowing two runs (one earned), taking the loss.
• First win and first start win: April 25, 2024, against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, pitching 5.7 innings and allowing one earned run.

5.4. Uniform Numbers

Throughout his professional career, Bo Takahashi has worn the following uniform numbers:

• 36 (Kia Tigers: mid-2021 - end 2021)
• 42 (Saitama Seibu Lions: 2022 - present)

5.5. Walk-up Songs

The following songs have been used as Bo Takahashi's walk-up music:

• "Baianá" by Bakermat (2022, mid-2023 - present)
• "Beat Festa em Ipanema - Funk" by Sr. Nescau (mid-2022)
• "Kyodai-bune" by Ichiro Toba (mid-2022 - end 2022)
• "Hey Brother" by Avicii (2023 - mid-2023)