1. Overview
Ren Kajiya (加治屋 蓮Kajiya RenJapanese, born November 25, 1991) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Kajiya, a right-handed pitcher, has previously played in NPB for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Hanshin Tigers. His career has seen him rise from an amateur standout through the draft, achieve a breakthrough season as a key relief pitcher, overcome injuries and setbacks, and continue his professional journey across multiple teams.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Ren Kajiya began his baseball journey in elementary school and developed his skills through middle and high school before joining a corporate league team.
2.1. Amateur Baseball Experience
Kajiya started playing baseball in the third grade at his elementary school's baseball club in Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture. During his time at Kushima Municipal Oosumi Junior High School, he primarily played as a third baseman. In high school, at Miyazaki Prefectural Fukushima High School, Kajiya made the varsity team with uniform number 18 in the fall of his first year and became the ace pitcher in the fall of his second year. However, he did not participate in the Koshien Tournament.
After high school, Kajiya joined the JR Kyushu Baseball Club, a corporate league team. In his third year with the team, he pitched five scoreless innings as a second reliever, allowing only two hits in the second round of the 38th Japanese Baseball Championship. In his fourth year, he started a game in the first round of the 84th Intercity Baseball Tournament, pitching four innings, giving up five hits, one walk, striking out four, and allowing two earned runs.
On October 24, 2013, Kajiya was selected by the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in the first overall pick of the 2013 Nippon Professional Baseball draft. The Hawks had previously missed out on first-round picks Tomohiro Anraku and Tatsuya Ohishi before drafting Kajiya. He agreed to a contract with an estimated signing bonus of 90.00 M JPY and an annual salary of 15.00 M JPY. His uniform number was designated as 14. After being drafted, he also pitched in the 39th Japanese Baseball Championship, throwing three innings as a second reliever, allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out two, with no earned runs. On November 11, it was discovered that he had a fatigue fracture in the third metatarsal bone of his right foot, requiring three months for full recovery.
3. Professional Career
Ren Kajiya's professional career spans several teams in Nippon Professional Baseball, where he established himself as a prominent relief pitcher, known for his durability and performance in key situations.
3.1. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2014-2020)
Kajiya's initial tenure with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks was marked by his development in the minor leagues, a significant breakthrough season, and subsequent struggles with injuries leading to his eventual departure.
3.1.1. Draft and Early Career (2014-2017)
In 2014, Kajiya did not make any appearances in the top league due to a right shoulder injury. He pitched only 5 1/3 innings in one game in the Western League, the Hawks' minor league. In 2015, he earned his first professional minor league win on June 18 against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Western League, pitching three scoreless innings as a reliever. That season, he led the team with 33 appearances in the minor league, pitching 56 2/3 innings, securing 9 wins, 3 losses, and 3 saves with a 3.65 ERA. Following the 2015 season, he was dispatched to the 2015 Asia Winter Baseball League in Taiwan as part of the NPB selected team.
On August 23, 2016, Kajiya was registered for the top league for the first time. He made his professional debut as a relief pitcher on August 26 against the Chiba Lotte Marines, pitching one inning in the ninth with a nine-run lead, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out one. On September 1, against the Saitama Seibu Lions, he pitched a scoreless ninth inning. He made only two top league appearances in 2016, while in the minor league, he appeared in 29 games, pitched 78 innings, with 4 wins, 3 losses, and 1 save, holding a 3.35 ERA.
In 2017, Kajiya suffered an ankle sprain during spring training, causing a delay in his season start. Despite this, he recorded 4 saves in 5 minor league games and was promoted to the top league on April 18. His first appearance that year was on April 22 against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, where he conceded a solo home run to Kazuo Matsui, marking Matsui's 200th career home run. On May 25, against the Chiba Lotte Marines, he gave up a two-run home run to Toshihito Iguchi, Iguchi's 250th career home run. Due to these struggles, he was demoted from the top league on June 1. Kajiya only made two top league appearances in 2017. In the minor league, he primarily served as a closer, appearing in 42 games, pitching 55 2/3 innings, with 2 wins, 3 losses, 2 holds, and 15 saves, maintaining a 3.23 ERA.
3.1.2. Breakthrough Season (2018)
The 2018 season was a breakthrough year for Kajiya. With the team's primary setup man, Sho Iwasaki, sidelined due to injury, Kajiya stepped into the role and became a consistent fixture in the bullpen. His strong performance led to his first selection to the NPB All-Star Game. He finished the regular season with an impressive 72 appearances, matching the Hawks' franchise record for most games pitched in a single season. He recorded a 4-3 win-loss record, a 3.38 ERA, 31 holds, and 53 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings. Kajiya also played a crucial role in the Hawks' successful 2018 Japan Series campaign. Despite it being his fifth professional season, he was still eligible for the Rookie of the Year award, receiving 45 votes, ranking third after Kazuki Tanaka (112 votes) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (70 votes).
3.1.3. Later Seasons and Release (2019-2020)
In 2019, Kajiya started spring training in rehabilitation due to right shoulder discomfort. Although he was initially expected to continue as a setup man, injuries severely limited his effectiveness. He appeared in only 30 games, finishing with a 3-1 win-loss record, a significantly higher 6.00 ERA, and 23 strikeouts in 36 innings.
The 2020 season saw Kajiya struggle further. While he performed well in the minor league with 1 win, 1 loss, 2 saves, and a 1.69 ERA in 19 appearances, his top league opportunities were limited to just 6 games. With an ERA of 6.00, almost all his appearances were in losing efforts, except for one game where the Hawks had a large lead. On November 26, after the Japan Series concluded, the Hawks informed him that he would not be offered a contract for the next season, making him a free agent on December 2, 2020. Kajiya expressed his desire to continue playing, stating he felt no physical issues.
3.2. Hanshin Tigers (2021-2024)
Kajiya's move to the Hanshin Tigers marked a new chapter in his career, where he experienced initial success and then became a consistent and reliable relief pitcher.
3.2.1. Initial Success (2021)
Despite not participating in the 2020 joint tryout for all 12 NPB teams, the Hanshin Tigers had been scouting Kajiya throughout the season and decided to pursue him after his release from the Hawks. On December 8, 2020, his acquisition by the Hanshin Tigers was officially announced. He signed a contract with an estimated annual salary of 20.00 M JPY and was assigned uniform number 54. He held a press conference on December 15.
In 2021, Kajiya made the Opening Day roster. On March 26, in the opening game against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Meiji Jingu Stadium, he entered in the seventh inning with two outs and a runner on third. After securing the final out of the inning, the Tigers took a one-run lead in the top of the eighth. Kajiya continued to pitch in the bottom of the eighth, getting one out before being relieved. As the Tigers maintained their lead and won the game, Kajiya was credited with the win, his first with the team. However, after his April 18 appearance against the Swallows, he made no further top league appearances for the rest of the season.
3.2.2. Consistent Performance (2022-2023)
In 2022, Kajiya made a significant comeback, appearing in 39 games, a substantial increase from the previous year. He recorded a solid 2.43 ERA, serving primarily as a right-handed one-point reliever and providing stable support to the bullpen. Following this strong season, his salary was doubled to an estimated 30.00 M JPY.
The 2023 season continued Kajiya's consistent performance, as he once again served as a reliable right-handed one-point reliever and setup man. On June 11, in the second game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at Es Con Field Hokkaido, he pitched a scoreless inning as the second reliever, extending his consecutive scoreless appearances from the start of the season to 22 games. This achievement set a new Hanshin Tigers franchise record for the longest consecutive scoreless appearances from the start of the season, surpassing previous records held by Yukihiro Yumimachi and Makoto Yoshino. He finished the season with 51 appearances, achieving 50+ appearances for the first time in five years. On December 2, his contract was renewed, with his estimated annual salary doubling from 30.00 M JPY to 60.00 M JPY.
3.2.3. Final Season and Second Release (2024)
In 2024, despite a strong performance in the minor league where he appeared in 29 games, recorded 2 wins, 1 loss, 2 saves, and a 0.68 ERA, Kajiya struggled to maintain a consistent spot in the top league. He made only 13 appearances, finishing with 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 hold, and a 4.50 ERA. On October 1, he received his second career release notification from the Hanshin Tigers. Kajiya expressed his desire to continue playing, stating his body still felt healthy and he wished to play until he was satisfied.
3.3. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2025-present)
On November 16, 2024, it was announced that Ren Kajiya had signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He will wear uniform number 41.
4. Player Profile
Ren Kajiya is a right-handed pitcher known for his diverse pitching arsenal. His top speed on his fastball reaches 95 mph (153 km/h). In addition to his fastball, he utilizes a variety of breaking pitches, including a curveball, slider, cutter, and a high-speed forkball that can reach speeds in the 140 km/h range.
5. Personal Life
Although Ren Kajiya is a right-handed pitcher and batter, he is left-handed in his daily life. Upon joining the SoftBank Hawks, he revealed that during his high school years, he was nicknamed "Obama" due to his mixed-race-like appearance, which was thought to resemble then-U.S. President Barack Obama. This led to Japanese comedian Notchi, known for his Obama impersonations, sending Kajiya words of encouragement via his blog. Kajiya was also noted for his resemblance to Roberto Suarez, a former SoftBank Hawks pitcher who played for the team from 2017 to 2019 and later became his teammate again with the Hanshin Tigers in 2021, with Suarez reportedly calling him "Hey, brother!" Kajiya's marriage to a woman from Fukuoka was reported on November 30, 2016, having occurred on his birthday, November 25.
6. Career Statistics and Records
6.1. Pitching Statistics
| Year | Team | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | W | L | H | Hold | WPCT | BF | IP | H | HR | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | BK | WP | R | ER | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | SoftBank | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 9 | 2.0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4.50 | 2.00 |
| 2017 | SoftBank | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 21 | 4.1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10.38 | 2.08 |
| 2018 | SoftBank | 72 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 31 | .571 | 284 | 66.2 | 67 | 5 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 25 | 3.38 | 1.38 |
| 2019 | SoftBank | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .750 | 169 | 36.0 | 42 | 4 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 24 | 6.00 | 1.78 |
| 2020 | SoftBank | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 30 | 6.0 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6.00 | 2.17 |
| 2021 | Hanshin | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .333 | 29 | 5.2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 7.94 | 1.41 |
| 2022 | Hanshin | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | .000 | 128 | 29.2 | 26 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 2.43 | 1.31 |
| 2023 | Hanshin | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 16 | .167 | 161 | 38.2 | 34 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 11 | 2.56 | 1.22 |
| Career Total | 209 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 61 | .409 | 831 | 189.0 | 194 | 18 | 82 | 8 | 11 | 146 | 11 | 1 | 87 | 83 | 3.95 | 1.46 | |
6.2. Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | Pitcher | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | PO | A | E | DP | FPCT | ||
| 2016 | SoftBank | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 2017 | SoftBank | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- |
| 2018 | SoftBank | 72 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 0 | .947 |
| 2019 | SoftBank | 30 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2020 | SoftBank | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2021 | Hanshin | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2022 | Hanshin | 39 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2023 | Hanshin | 51 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| Career Total | 209 | 11 | 39 | 1 | 2 | .980 | |
6.3. Major Records
6.3.1. Firsts
- First Appearance: August 26, 2016, against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome, as the second relief pitcher in the 9th inning, completing 1 inning with 1 earned run.
- First Strikeout: August 26, 2016, against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome, striking out Alfredo Despaigne with a swinging strike.
- First Hold: April 12, 2018, against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome, as the third relief pitcher in the 7th inning, recording 1/3 inning scoreless.
- First Win: May 29, 2018, against the Hanshin Tigers at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, as the fifth relief pitcher in the 8th inning, recording 1 inning scoreless.
- First Save: May 27, 2023, against the Yomiuri Giants at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, as the fifth relief pitcher in the 9th inning with two outs, completing 1/3 inning scoreless.
6.3.2. Other Notable Records
- 22 Consecutive Scoreless Appearances from Opening Day: Achieved from April 1 to June 10, 2023. This is the longest streak in Hanshin Tigers franchise history.
- NPB All-Star Game Selection: 1 time (2018).
6.4. Uniform Numbers
- 14 (2014-2020) - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
- 54 (2021-2024) - Hanshin Tigers
- 41 (2025-present) - Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
6.5. Entrance Songs
- "Follow Me" by E-girls (2014)
- "Diamond Only" by E-girls (2015)
- "Manatsu no Taiyou" by Sakurako Ohara (2016)
- "Mamorita: Magic of a Touch" by Chris Hart (2017)
- "Wrapped Up" by Olly Murs (2018)
- "Makenai Kokoro" by AAA (2018)
- "Subete ga Boku no Chikara ni Naru!" by Kuzu (2019)
- "We Will Rock You" by Queen (2020)
- "The Beginning" by One Ok Rock (2021)
- "Taisetsu na Mono" by Road of Major (2022-present)