Koichi Misawa

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Koichi Misawa (born June 8, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and current coach. He was born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and bats and throws right-handed. Misawa made his Nippon Professional Baseball debut on April 29, 1997, with the Yomiuri Giants. He played for the Giants (1997–2001, 2004), Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes (2001–2003), Yakult Swallows/Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2005–2006), and Chunichi Dragons (2007). He won a silver medal with Japan at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

After Japan, Misawa moved to the United States in 2008 to play for the Gary SouthShore RailCats in the Northern League, posting a 1.69 ERA in 42.2 innings. He also played winter ball in Venezuela for Caribes de Anzoátegui and in the Dominican Republic for Leones del Escogido. In 2009, he finished his pro career with the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League. He has been a coach for the Yomiuri Giants since 2017. His NPB career stats through 2007 include a 28–18 win-loss record, a 3.98 ERA, 306 strikeouts and 6 saves.