Yoshinori Sato

2.1. Birth and Family

Yoshinori Sato was born on December 5, 1989, in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. His parents and older brother encouraged him to start playing baseball in the fourth grade. He has two brothers, Hisanori and Takaki, both of whom were also involved in baseball. Hisanori, his older brother, played as a backup catcher for Tohoku High School, where he was a battery-mate with future professional pitcher Yu Darvish. His younger brother, Takaki, also played baseball at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School and later for the Fukushima Hopes in the Baseball Challenge League. Their father is the representative director of Miyagi Kanko Taxi Co., Ltd., which operated a taxi with the number "11 YOSHINORI" on its hood, a tribute to Sato's jersey number with the Swallows.

2.2. Introduction to Baseball

Sato began playing baseball in the fourth grade. In 2002, as a first-year student at Sendai Municipal North Sendai Junior High School, he was part of the Sendai Higashi Little League team that won the national championship. The team then represented Japan in the Asian tournament, advancing to the Little League World Series. In their first game against the Russian team, Sato pitched a no-hitter, the first in the tournament in 10 years. The team ultimately lost 1-0 to the U.S. Great Lakes team in the final, finishing as runner-up. Despite his junior high school having a baseball team, Sato chose to join the track and field team while continuing to play baseball for the Sendai Seibu Senior League team.

3.1. Development and Performances

In 2005, Yoshinori Sato enrolled at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School. Despite his fastball speed being less than 81 mph ^{(130 km/h)} upon entry and initially being a backup third baseman, he quickly developed. By the fall of his first year, his fastball reached 87 mph ^{(140 km/h)}, drawing local attention. As the team's ace pitcher, he led Sendai Ikuei Gakuen to the 88th National High School Baseball Championship in 2006. On August 7, he pitched a complete game, striking out 11 batters in a 5-1 victory over Tokushima Commercial High School in the first round. However, in the next round on August 13, he allowed four runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out 13 against Nihon University Yamagata Senior High School, taking the loss in a 6-3 defeat.

In the fall of 2006, Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High won the Tohoku Regional Tournament, securing a spot in the 79th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in the spring of 2007. As a senior, Sato pitched well in the first round on March 23 against Tokoha Gakuen Kikugawa High School, striking out 14 while allowing only two runs and clocking 93 mph ^{(150 km/h)}. Despite his effort, his team lost 2-1 in a disappointing first-round exit.

In the summer of 2007, Sato was already considered one of the top high school pitchers in Japan. In the regional Miyagi Tournament final against rival Tohoku High School on July 31, he threw 226 pitches over 15 shutout innings in a game that ended in a scoreless tie. The next day, August 1, he started the rematch, throwing 148 pitches and holding Tohoku High to two runs in a 6-2 complete game win, leading his school to its third consecutive national tournament appearance.

3.2. Pitching Velocity Records

During the 89th National High School Baseball Championship in 2007, Sato's fastball velocity garnered significant attention. On August 9, in the first round against Chiben Gakuen Wakayama Senior High School, he pitched a 4-2 complete game win, striking out 17 and allowing only two runs. In the eighth inning of that game, he threw a pitch clocked at 96 mph ^{(154 km/h)} by the radar gun at Koshien Stadium, tying the highest speed ever recorded in the tournament since radar guns were introduced in 1980. He threw a total of 19 pitches at or above 93 mph ^{(150 km/h)} in that game.

On August 15, in the fourth inning of the second-round game against Chiben Gakuen Senior High School (the Nara champions), Sato threw a pitch clocked at 96 mph ^{(155 km/h)}, setting a new tournament record for pitch speed. Despite this, he gave up five runs in the very next inning, allowing eight hits and five walks in a 5-2 complete game loss. Although he made three appearances in national tournaments during his high school career, he never advanced past the second round.

Later that summer, Sato was selected to play in the U.S.-Japan High School Baseball Tournament, where he recorded a new personal-high of 98 mph ^{(157 km/h)}, further solidifying his reputation as a top pitching prospect.

3.3. Draft Prospect and "High School Big Three"

Yoshinori Sato was one of the most highly touted players entering the 2007 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) high school draft. Scouts were impressed not only by his fastball but also by his sharp slider. He was dubbed one of the "High School Big Three" alongside slugger Sho Nakata from Osaka Tōin Senior High School and right-hander Yuki Karakawa from Narita High School.

Five NPB teams - the Sendai-based Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Yokohama DeNA BayStars, Chunichi Dragons, and Yomiuri Giants - all selected Sato with their first-round picks. The Swallows ultimately won the lottery for his negotiation rights. On November 11, Sato signed with the Swallows for an estimated base salary of 15.00 M JPY, a signing bonus of 100.00 M JPY, and additional performance-based incentives. He was presented with the uniform number 11. Due to the presence of another pitcher named Yoshinori Sato (Yoshinori Sato, born 1954), he decided to use only his given name, 由規_Yoshinori^Japanese, as his registered player name.

4.1. Tokyo Yakult Swallows

Yoshinori Sato spent the majority of his professional career with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, enduring a cycle of promising performances and setbacks due to injuries.

4.1.3. Peak Performance and All-Star Selections

The 2010 season was a breakout year for Yoshinori Sato. He started the season's second game against the Giants, pitching eight innings and allowing only one run for his first win of the season. Despite a four-game losing streak and a temporary demotion to the minor leagues, he returned during the interleague play and stabilized his performance. On July 29, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, he recorded his first complete game win, allowing three runs in nine innings, and set a new personal best and Japanese pitcher record with a 98 mph ^{(158 km/h)} fastball. On August 5, against the Chunichi Dragons, he pitched his first career shutout. On August 26, during a game against the Yokohama BayStars at Meiji Jingu Stadium, he threw a pitch to Tarmarr Sledge in the fifth inning that was clocked at 100 mph ^{(161 km/h)}, setting a new record for the fastest pitch by a Japanese pitcher in NPB official games. He completed the season with his first 2-digit win total (12 wins, 9 losses) and reached the innings pitched qualification, marking a significant growth in his third professional year.

Sato was selected to the All-Star Games twice in his career: in 2009 and 2011. In 2009, he was a manager's recommendation for the Central League. Although he was selected, a blister on his right hand prevented him from pitching, and he only appeared as a pinch-runner in the second game. In 2011, he was voted as the starting pitcher for the Central League by fans, marking his second All-Star selection.

4.2. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

On November 15, 2018, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Sato's hometown team, announced that they had reached an agreement with him on a development contract. His registered name remained 由規_Yoshinori^Japanese, and his uniform number was 123. This signing fulfilled a decade-long pursuit for Rakuten, who had initially drafted Sato in the first round of the 2007 NPB draft but failed to secure his negotiation rights. The agreement was made under the leadership of then-General Manager Kazuhisa Ishii, who had been a pitcher for the Swallows during Sato's tenure.

In 2019, Sato focused on rehabilitating his right shoulder during spring training. He made his return to actual games on May 17, pitching in relief for the Eastern League against the Saitama Seibu Lions. He recorded a save, pitching two scoreless innings with a fastball reaching 94 mph ^{(151 km/h)}. He continued to pitch primarily in relief, but on June 2, he started an Eastern League game against the Chiba Lotte Marines, pitching three hitless and scoreless innings as part of a combined no-hitter. By late July, he had made seven appearances (12 innings) in the Eastern League without allowing a run, prompting GM Ishii to decide to reinstate him as a regular player, with an eye on his return to the top-tier team as a starter. On July 28, his re-signing as a regular player and his new uniform number, 63, were announced by the team. He was officially registered by NPB on July 29. On September 26, he made his first top-tier appearance in 481 days, pitching one scoreless inning with two strikeouts in the ninth inning against the Seibu Lions in the final game of the 2019 regular season at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi. He recorded a fastball of 93 mph ^{(150 km/h)} and expressed deep gratitude to the Eagles for giving him a chance.

In 2020, Sato did not make any top-tier appearances. On November 5, he was released by the Eagles. On November 10, he announced via his social media that he intended to continue his playing career, stating he felt he still had the physical and mental capacity to pitch.

4.3. Independent and Overseas Leagues

After his time with the Rakuten Eagles, Sato continued his career in independent leagues in Japan and briefly ventured overseas.

5.1. Pitching Delivery and Mechanics

Listed at 70 in ^{(179 cm)} and 176 lb ^{(80 kg)}, Sato was considered relatively small for a typical power pitcher. He possessed a slightly unorthodox delivery, characterized by raising his left leg and bringing his glove down in front of his knee before pulling it into his chest, and throwing from a three-quarters arm slot. His pitching motion was noted for its minimal head movement, a characteristic he observed in other ace pitchers like Hisashi Iwakuma and Hideaki Wakui to improve his control.

5.2. Fastball and Other Pitches

Sato's four-seam fastball was his signature pitch, known for its exceptional velocity. It typically sat between 91 mph ^{(146 km/h)} and 95 mph ^{(153 km/h)}, and he recorded a personal best of 100 mph ^{(161 km/h)} during the 2010 season, which was the fastest by a Japanese pitcher at the time. He complemented his fastball with a solid slider, which had sharp break and varied in speed from 75 mph ^{(120 km/h)} to 87 mph ^{(140 km/h)} (including a cut fastball). He also occasionally threw a forkball, and later in his career, he added a changeup and a curveball. Despite his powerful fastball, he sometimes struggled with control, leading to walks and wild pitches. He was recognized for his excellent stamina, able to throw a 94 mph ^{(151 km/h)} fastball even on his 154th pitch in a complete game win during his high school days.

5.3. Physical Attributes and Injury Management

Sato's career was significantly impacted by recurring injuries, particularly to his right shoulder. He underwent cleaning surgery on his right shoulder in 2013, which required extensive rehabilitation. After this, his average fastball velocity settled in the mid-87 mph ^{(140 km/h)} range. He adopted training methods used by Yu Darvish after participating in Darvish's self-training program in 2015, focusing on injury prevention and recovery.

5.4. Batting Tendency

Yoshinori Sato was a right-handed pitcher who batted left-handed, which is a relatively rare combination in baseball. This was because he was naturally left-handed but learned to throw right-handed using his older brother's hand-me-down glove. He was capable of throwing 197 ft ^{(60 m)} with his left hand.

6.1. Family Relationships

Yoshinori Sato's family played a significant role in his baseball journey. His older brother, Hisanori, was a catcher for Tohoku High School and caught for Yu Darvish. After Sato's right shoulder surgery in 2015, he participated in Darvish's self-training program for the first time, incorporating Darvish's adjustment methods into his routine from 2016. His younger brother, Takaki, also played baseball at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School and later for the Fukushima Hopes. From 2017, both Hisanori and Takaki played together for the "TFU Club," a club team affiliated with Tohoku Fukushi University baseball alumni.

Sato's father, who is the representative director of Miyagi Kanko Taxi Co., Ltd., showed his support by operating a taxi with "11 YOSHINORI" emblazoned on its hood, a tribute to Sato's uniform number. Even after Sato moved to the Rakuten Eagles in 2019, the taxi continued to operate, with only the "11" removed, symbolizing his father's continued hope for his son's comeback.

6.2. Impact of the Tohoku Earthquake

The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami had a profound personal impact on Yoshinori Sato and his family. While his hometown and family home were affected, his family members were all safe. However, Izumi Saito, a year older and his battery-mate from Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School, went missing in Ishinomaki, Miyagi and was found deceased on April 27. As Saito had been close with Sato's family, Sato's father offered Sato's autograph and a Swallows uniform at Saito's altar. Sato himself, after winning a game against the Giants on April 27 at Kusanagi Baseball Stadium, declared he would personally deliver the winning ball, which he received from relief pitcher Lim Chang-yong, to Saito's grieving family, and placed it at his altar.

6.3. Personal Anecdotes and Nicknames

Yoshinori Sato was known for his emotional personality, particularly his tearful reactions during press conferences. After being drafted by the Swallows, he reportedly burst into tears while expressing gratitude to his family, and again at his welcome party. This led to him being nicknamed "Crying Prince" (泣き虫王子_{Nakimushi Ōji}^Japanese) and "Goukyuu (Hardball) Prince" (号泣(剛球)王子_{Gōkyū Ōji}^Japanese). He was also famously dubbed the "Giants Killer" by the Japanese media for his strong performances against the Yomiuri Giants early in his career.

A notable anecdote from his rookie year in 2008 highlights his strategic thinking. On October 8, he was pitching a complete game against the Yokohama BayStars, but to preserve his eligibility for the Rookie of the Year award for the following season (which required staying under 30 innings pitched), he opted to be removed after eight innings, despite being on pace for a complete-game win. When his pitching coach, Daisuke Araki, asked him whether he preferred a complete game or rookie eligibility, Sato immediately chose the latter. Although he finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2009, this decision reflected his long-term career perspective.

During his time with the Swallows, he signed an endorsement deal as a "Weider Support Athlete" with Morinaga & Company starting in 2009. He also appeared as a named character, a close friend of the protagonist's brother, in the manga series Stripe Blue. In May 2012, he participated as a vocalist in "Hana wa Saku" (花は咲く_{Flowers Will Bloom}^Japanese), an NHK song for Tohoku earthquake recovery support.

The Swallows organization showed significant respect for Sato. When he transitioned from a regular contract to a development contract in 2015, his uniform number changed from 11 to 121 (11 squared). The team intentionally kept number 11 vacant, waiting for his return to the main roster, which happened in 2016. Even after he was released in 2018, the Swallows offered him a front-office position within the club and considered holding a retirement ceremony, demonstrating their appreciation for his contributions.

7.1. Awards and Honors

• Eastern League Most Wins (2008)

7.2. Key Career Milestones

• First professional appearance and start**: August 30, 2008, against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium.
• First strikeout**: August 30, 2008, against Seiichi Uchikawa.
• First professional win and start win**: September 6, 2008, against the Yomiuri Giants at Meiji Jingu Stadium, pitching six innings and allowing three runs.
• First complete game win**: July 29, 2010, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Meiji Jingu Stadium, pitching nine innings and allowing three runs with seven strikeouts.
• First shutout win**: August 5, 2010, against the Chunichi Dragons at Meiji Jingu Stadium, allowing five hits with eight strikeouts.
• First RBI**: September 14, 2008, against Hisanori Takahashi of the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome, via a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.
• First hit**: July 4, 2010, against Keniichi Nakata of the Chunichi Dragons at Akita Prefectural Baseball Stadium, a two-run single to left field in the second inning.
• All-Star Game appearances**: 2 times (2009, 2011). He was the first player born in the Heisei era (1989 onwards) to be selected for the All-Star Game in 2009.
• Highest recorded pitch speeds**:
  • High school: 96 mph ^{(155 km/h)} (Koshien Stadium, 2007), 98 mph ^{(157 km/h)} (U.S.-Japan High School Baseball Tournament, 2007).
  • Professional: 100 mph ^{(161 km/h)} (NPB official game, August 26, 2010, against Yokohama BayStars).

7.3. Statistical Summary

• G: Games pitched, GS: Games started, CG: Complete games, SHO: Shutouts, SV: Saves, W: Wins, L: Losses, ERA: Earned run average, IP: Innings pitched, H: Hits allowed, HR: Home runs allowed, BB: Walks, HBP: Hit by pitch, SO: Strikeouts, WHIP: Walks plus hits per inning pitched
• Rakuten (E) refers to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (NPB).
• Rakuten (M) refers to the Rakuten Monkeys (CPBL).

• G: Games, PO: Putouts, A: Assists, E: Errors, DP: Double plays, FPct: Fielding percentage

8.1. Coaching Positions

On October 31, 2024, it was announced that Yoshinori Sato would join the Tokyo Yakult Swallows coaching staff for the 2025 season as the second-team pitching and development coach. His uniform number for this role will be 91.

9.1. Decision and Announcement

Sato's decision to retire came after participating in a ceremonial first pitch at Meiji Jingu Stadium on September 19, 2024. He reflected that ending his career at Jingu, where it began, felt like the most fitting conclusion. His retirement and departure from the Saitama Musashi Heat Bears were officially announced by the team on October 8, 2024. On October 16, he held a retirement press conference, stating that he had "no regrets" and felt he could "praise himself for doing so well" after his long and challenging career.