Riku Ogata
| Riku Ogata | |
|---|---|
 Ogata with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. | |
| Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 57 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: September 22, 1998 Kunitomi, Miyazaki, Japan | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| NPB debut | |
| March 29, 2024, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks | |
| NPB statistics (through September 30, 2026) | |
| Batting average | .205 |
| Hits | 27 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| RBI | 10 |
| Stolen base | 13 |
| Sacrifice bunt | 5 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Riku Ogata (緒方 理貢, Ogata Riku; born September 22, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball Outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Early baseball career
[edit]He went on to attend Komazawa University, where he became a regular Left fielder during the autumn of his freshman year. He recorded a batting average of over .300 in the Tohto University Baseball League and contributed to the team's promotion from Division 2 to Division 1.[1]
Professional career
[edit]On October 26, 2020, Ogata was drafted by the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks as a developmental player in the 2020 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.[2]
From 2021 to 2023 season, he played in informal matches against Shikoku Island League Plus's teams and amateur baseball teams, and played in the Western League of NPB's second leagues.
On March 19, 2024, Ogata signed a 7 million yen re-contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks as a registered player under control with Yuto Kawamura and Keisuke Nakata.[3][4]
In 2024 season, Ogata made his Pacific League debut as a pinch-runner in the game against the Orix Buffaloes on March 29. And recorded his first hit in a game against the Orix Buffaloes April 20.[5] Although he primarily appeared as a defensive substitute or pinch-runner, he remained on the first-team roster throughout the season, playing in 86 games and contributing to the team's Pacific League championship. And he signing a contract with 13 million yen.[6]
In 2025 season, he played in a career-high 101 games and contributed to the team's Japan Series championship. He also signed a contract worth 24 million yen.[7]
In 2026 season, he injured his right calf muscle after being hit by a pitch on March 27 and spent the season rehabilitating, delaying his addition to the first-team roster until July 10.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Yahoo Japan baseball news 【ホークス育成新人File】駒大から入団の育成5位・緒方理貢は「周東2世」に！". Yahoo Japan (in Japanese). January 25, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Komazawa University Home > News > Extracurricular Activities > 2020 Academic Year 硬式野球部の緒方理貢選手と前田研輝選手がドラフト指名挨拶を受けました". Komazawa University Official site (in Japanese). November 2, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
- ↑ "full-count.jp baseball news ソフトバンク、異例の3選手同時昇格 仲田慶介、川村友斗、緒方理貢の支配下登録を発表". full-count.jp (in Japanese). March 19, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Nikkan Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】21年ドラフト最終指名の仲田慶介が支配下昇格「はい上がってやる気持ちで」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). March 19, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Nikkan Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】緒方理貢がプロ初安打「貢献しようと」２度の満塁機で２三振には「悔しい」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). April 20, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Nikkan Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】緒方理貢600万円増の1300万円「今年より多くスタメンで」来季へ意欲". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 27, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Nikkan Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】緒方理貢1100万円増の2400万円で更改「来年がすごく大事な年」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). December 27, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Nikkan Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】緒方理貢が今季初1軍昇格へ 斉藤2軍監督は期待「いい変化をしてほしい」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). July 9, 2026. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Career statistics - NPB.jp
- 57 Riku Ogata PLAYERS2026 - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site
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