Kenta Bright

Kenta Bright
Bright in 2022
Chunichi Dragons – No. 42
Outfielder
Born: (1999-05-07) May 7, 1999 (age 25)
Adachi, Tokyo, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
April 5, 2023, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.241
Home runs0
Runs batted in4
Teams

Kenta Adu Bright (ブライト健太, Bright Kenta Adu, May 7, 1999) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He made his NPB debut in 2023. The Dragons chose Bright with their first pick of the 2021 NPB draft.

Early life

Bright was born in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan, on 7 May 1999 to a Ghanaian father and a Japanese mother.[1][2] He practiced judo from first grade to sixth grade,[3] which is when he switched to baseball.[1]

Amateur career

Bright attended Tokyo Metropolitan Katsushikano High School [ja], playing as a first baseman on the baseball team. He hit a total of 38 home runs during his high school career.[1]

After high school, Bright played college baseball at Jobu University, members of the Kankoshin Student Baseball Federation [ja]. He was a reserve player until his third year due to his struggles hitting curveballs, but had a breakout season in year four.[1][4] Bright led his team to a league title, recording three home runs and 12 runs batted in (RBI) in the tournament and earning most valuable player honors.[1][2] He then hit two home runs in the 2021 All Japan University Baseball Championship [ja], though they were defeated by Keio University in the semifinals.[2]

He submitted his name to the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft on September 24, 2021.[5]

Professional career

On October 11, 2021, Bright was selected by the Chunichi Dragons in the first round of the 2021 NPB draft.[3] He signed his first professional contract on December 7, agreeing to an annual salary of ¥16 million (US$145,785.88) and a signing bonus of ¥100 million (US$911,161.73).[4] Bright chose the 42 jersey number in honor of Jackie Robinson.[6][7]

As a rookie in 2022, Bright suffered wrist and shoulder injuries that prevented him from playing with the first squad.[8] Instead, he recorded three home runs and 10 RBI in 46 Western League games played with the second squad.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "MVPを獲得した上武大・ブライト健太　ガーナ人の父を持つ長距離砲の歩みは「リアルドカベン」". Sponichi (in Japanese). May 22, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Masashi Ogawa (July 10, 2021). "上武大のブライト健太、1年間の取り組みが実り打撃開花". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "【ドラフト】中日１位ブライト健太、寮脱走しても迎えに来た仲間に恩返しを". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). October 11, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "中日１位ブライト健太が仮契約「打点王取りたい」中村紀洋コーチの助言熱望". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). December 7, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "ガーナ人の父を持つ大砲候補 上武大ブライト健太らプロ志望届". Chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). September 24, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  6. ^ Shigeru Seno (September 12, 2022). "Jackie Robinson Museum highlights legacy off the baseball field". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "中日Ｄ１位・ブライト健太の背番号は「４２」　Ｊ・ロビンソンの永久欠番と同じ". Sanspo (in Japanese). December 17, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "【中日】ブライト健太が２００万円減の１４００万円でサイン「ケガが多いのはプロ失格」相次ぐ故障を猛省". Hochi News (in Japanese). November 20, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "【中日】ブライト健太「このままでは３年で見切りをつけられてしまう」〝塩見塾〟入りも悲壮感". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2022.