Akira Neo (根尾昂, Neo Akira, born April 19, 2000) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He has played as a position player but is currently a pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons.
Neo had been earmarked to start spring training with the first team,[7] but a pulled calf during an individual training session on 24 January confirmed a start with the second team.[8]
Neo had a slow start in the Western League batting under .200 for the first few months of his professional career before hitting .324 during the month of June.[9]
On July 10, it was confirmed that Neo would be starting the annual Fresh All-Stars game for the Western League alongside fellow 2018 draftees, Kōdai Umetsu and Kōta Ishibashi.[10]
Play style
Primarily playing at short, Neo amassed 32 home runs in his high school career as well as clocking 150 km/h (93 mph) on his fastball as a pitcher.[11] He can run 50 metres in 6 seconds flat and has a throwing range of 115 meters.[11]
Personal life
Neo was a Japanese champion alpine skier in middle school and represented Japan at an international tournament in Italy.[12] As a middle-school student, Neo played for Hida Boys with Kenshin Kakikoshi with whom he was reunited by with the Dragons at the 2018 draft.
[13]
^"中日１位根尾が最高条件で仮契約「ショート一本で」 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Chunichi's #1 Draft pick Neo signs pre-contract at maximum amount "Only shortstop"]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
^"中日Ｄ１・根尾、１軍スタート「濃い練習を」" [Neo to start with first team "(I'm looking forward to) intense training"]. Sanspo (in Japanese). 2019-01-22. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
^"中日・根尾、「右腓腹筋の軽度の肉離れ」キャンプ二軍スタート ｜ ショウアップナイター" [Chunichi Neo "Light right calf strain" means start with second team.]. Baseball King (in Japanese). 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
^ ab"大阪桐蔭・根尾「何か縁が」４球団競合中日が交渉権 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Osaka Toin's Neo "there's a connection"; among competition of 4 Chunichi secures negotiating rights]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
^Akasaka, Eiichi. "野球選手の人生は13歳で決まる（1）想像を絶する有力校の争奪戦（赤坂 英一）" [Baseballer's life is decided at 13; 1. big competition at good school]. Gendai (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-04.
^"【ドラフト会議】山梨学院 垣越建伸、中日が5位指名！根尾と元チームメイト 最速146キロの大型左腕" [Draft Meeting: Yamanashi Gakuin's Kenshin Kakikoshi selected 5th for the Dragons; Neo's former team-mate; left armer with 146 km/g max velo]. 高校野球ニュース (in Japanese). 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
.jpg){kind=small}
