Masa Kobayashi #30

Full name MASA HIDE KOBAYAS HI...Married, wife's name is Michiko...One daughter, Miu (8)...Resides in Tokyo...Attended Tsuru High School in Yamanashi where he played baseball...Attended Nippon Sport Science University in 1993...Played two years of professional baseball for the semi-pro Tokyo Gus in 1997-98 before being drafted by Chiba Lotte.

2008

Spent his first season in the Major Leagues and finished T3rd among AL rookie pitchers in games (57) and 2nd in saves (6)...His 57 appearances were his most professionally since 2000 (65) in Japan...Recorded first Major League win on April 26 vs. New York-AL and first Major League save on May 13 vs. Oakland...37 of his 57 appearances were scoreless...Made his Major League debut after 9 seasons in Japan on April 2 vs. Chicago-AL...Went 1-0 w/a 1.46 ERA in 12 April outings (12.1IP, 13H, 2ER) and was 4-4-5 w/a 3.05 ERA in 42 first half appearances (44.1IP, 40H, 15ER, 28K, .237AVG)...Saved 4 straight games in brief stint as closer from June 13-July 21...Was 6 for 9 in save opportunities...Tired in the second half and was limited to just 15 outings and was 0-1-1 w/a 10.32 ERA in 15 games (11.1IP, 25H, 13ER, 3BB, 7K, .431AVG)...From August 1st on his ERA was 12.00 (6.0IP, 17H, 8ER)....Made 3 appearances in September and did not pitch after Sept. 13...Batters hit .337 (31-92) off him with runners on and .321 (18-56) with RISP...7 of his 16 inherited runners (44%) scored.