Kona Takahashi

Kona Takahashi
Takahashi with the Saitama Seibu Lions
Saitama Seibu Lions – No. 13
Pitcher
Born: (1997-02-03) February 3, 1997
Numata, Gunma, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
August 2, 2015, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
NPB statistics
(through August 21, 2026)
Win–loss record81-82
Earned run average3.30
Strikeouts964
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
18U Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place2013 TaichungTeam

Kona Takahashi (高橋 光成, Takahashi Kōna; born February 3, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Career

Takahashi was a member of the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League for the 2017–18 season.

Takahashi made 26 appearances for the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2022, compiling a 12–8 record and 2.20 ERA with 128 strikeouts across 175+2⁄3 innings pitched. In 2023, he pitched in 23 games, accumulating a 10–8 record and 2.21 ERA with 120 strikeouts across 155 innings pitched.[1]

Takahashi struggled in 2024, with a 0-11 record and a 3.87 ERA, and spent time in the minor leagues. After bouncing back in 2025, with an ERA under 3 in late August, reports emerged that the Seibu Lions were planning on posting Takahashi for Major League Baseball (MLB) at the season's end.[2] The Lions posted Takahashi, but he did not reach an agreement with an MLB team during the posting window and returned to the Lions.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "NPB Scouting Report: Kona Takahashi". sportsinfosolutions.com. 12 March 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Polishuk, Mark (August 30, 2025). "NPB's Seibu Lions Likely To Post Kona Takahashi For MLB Teams This Offseason". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  3. ↑ Castillo, Jorge; Gonzalez, Alden (January 4, 2026). "Posting period expires for Japanese pitcher Kona Takahashi". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 18, 2026.