Kenta Bright
{{short description|Japanese baseball player (born 1999)}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Kenta Bright
|image=Bright Kenta Ado GRAGONS 42 20220618.jpg
|image_size=250 px
|caption=Bright in 2022
|position=Outfielder
|team=Chunichi Dragons
|number=42
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1999|5|7}}
|birth_place=Adachi, Tokyo, Japan
|debutleague=NPB
|debutdate=April 5
|debutyear=2023
|debutteam=Chunichi Dragons
|statleague=NPB
|statyear=2024 season
| stat1label = Batting average
| stat1value = .240
| stat3label = Home runs
| stat3value = 2
| stat4label = Runs batted in
| stat4value = 7
|teams=
- Chunichi Dragons ({{npby|2023}}–present)
| awards=
}}
{{nihongo|Kenta Adu Bright|ブライト健太|Bright Kenta Adu|extra=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.{{cite news|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2021/05/22/kiji/20210522s00001089510000c.html|title=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」|work=Sponichi|date=May 22, 2021|access-date=January 29, 2022|language=ja}}{{cite news|url=https://4years.asahi.com/article/14389768|title=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|work=The Asahi Shimbun|author=Masashi Ogawa|date=July 10, 2021|access-date=January 30, 2022|language=ja}} He practiced judo from first grade to sixth grade,{{cite news|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/202110110001036.html|title=【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|work=Nikkan Sports|date=October 11, 2021|access-date=January 30, 2022|language=ja}} which is when he switched to baseball.
Amateur career
Bright attended {{ill|Tokyo Metropolitan Katsushikano High School|ja|東京都立葛飾野高等学校}}, playing as a first baseman on the baseball team. He hit a total of 38 home runs during his high school career.
After high school, Bright played college baseball at Jobu University, members of the {{ill|Kankoshin Student Baseball Federation|ja|関甲新学生野球連盟}}. He was a reserve player until his third year due to his struggles hitting curveballs, but had a breakout season in year four.{{cite news|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/202112070001031.html|title=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|work=Nikkan Sports|date=December 7, 2021|access-date=January 29, 2022|language=ja}} 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. He then hit two home runs in the {{ill|2021 All Japan University Baseball Championship|ja|第70回全日本大学野球選手権記念大会}}, though they were defeated by Keio University in the semifinals.
He submitted his name to the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft on September 24, 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/335936|title=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|work=Chunichi.co.jp|date=September 24, 2021|access-date=January 29, 2022|language=ja}}
Professional career
On October 11, 2021, Bright was selected by the Chunichi Dragons in the first round of the 2021 NPB draft. He signed his first professional contract on December 7, agreeing to an annual salary of {{JPYConvert|16|m|2023}} and a signing bonus of {{JPYConvert|100|m|2023}}. Bright chose the 42 jersey number in honor of Jackie Robinson.{{cite news|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Sports/Jackie-Robinson-Museum-highlights-legacy-off-the-baseball-field|title=Jackie Robinson Museum highlights legacy off the baseball field|work=Nikkei Asia|author=Shigeru Seno|date=September 12, 2022|access-date=January 23, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20211217-LHSHLYQXMBLQLFT5CSO5LAO3E4/|title=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|work=Sanspo|date=December 17, 2021|access-date=January 23, 2022|language=ja}}
As a rookie in 2022, Bright suffered wrist and shoulder injuries that prevented him from playing with the first squad.{{cite news|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20221120-OHT1T51130.html?page=1|title=【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|work=Hochi News|date=November 20, 2022|access-date=January 30, 2022|language=ja}} Instead, he recorded three home runs and 10 RBI in 46 Western League games played with the second squad.{{cite news|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/250554|title=【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|work=Tokyo Sports|date=January 10, 2023|access-date=January 30, 2022|language=ja}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/71875155.html NPB profile]
- [http://www.dragons.jp/teamdata/players/player.php?posi=outfielder&name=%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%20%E5%81%A5%E5%A4%AA&num=42 Chunichi Dragons profile]
{{Baseballstats|brm=bright001ken}}
{{Chunichi Dragons roster navbox}}
{{Chunichi Dragons 2021 Draft Picks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bright, Kenta}}
Category:Baseball people from Tokyo
Category:Nippon Professional Baseball outfielders
Category:Chunichi Dragons players
Category:Jobu University alumni