Yūya Gunji (郡司 裕也, Gunji Yūya, born December 27, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, infielder and outfielder for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Chunichi Dragons.

Yūya Gunji
郡司 裕也
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – No. 30
Catcher, Infielder, Outfielder
Born: (1997-12-27) December 27, 1997 (age 26)
Ichihara, Chiba, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
June 23, 2020, for the Chunichi Dragons
Career statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.200
Home runs0
Runs batted in7
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
U-18 Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2015 Osaka Team

Career

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Gunji was the opposing catcher at the 2015 Koshien tournament for Sendai Ikuei where future teammate, Tokai Sagami high school ace, Shinnosuke Ogasawara was the winning pitcher.[1]

Gunji is a graduate of Sendai Ikuei High School and Keio University.

Chunichi Dragons

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On October 17, 2019, Gunji was selected as the 2nd draft pick for the Chunichi Dragons at the 2019 NPB Draft and on November 22 signed a provisional contract with a ¥50,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥9,000,000 yearly salary.[2][3]

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

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On June 19, 2023, Gunji was traded alongside Takumi Yamamoto to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in exchange for Shingo Usami and Koki Saito.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "慶大・郡司 中日から指名あいさつ「目標は開幕1軍」小笠原らとの再会心待ち". Sponichi. October 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  2. ^ "中日D4位の慶大・郡司が仮契約、柳と"裕也バッテリー"を" [Chunichi #4 pick, Keio's Gunji wants "to create a Yuya battery (with Yanagi)"]. Sankei Sports (in Japanese). November 22, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  3. ^ "中日ドラフト4位の慶大・郡司裕也捕手が仮契約 開幕マスクへ向け「中日は世代交代の時期。僕もそれに乗れたら」(中日スポーツ)" [Chunichi 4th draft pick, Keio's Yuya Gunji signs pre-contract. Looks to wear mask on opening day "Chunichi are in a period of transition, I hope to be a part of it"]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). November 23, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
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