Kensuke Kondoh

Kensuke Kondoh (近藤 健介, Kondō Kensuke) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, outfielder, and third baseman for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

[2] On May 30, 2014, Kondoh hit a grand slam home run in the interleague play against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at the age of 20 years and 9 months, making him the youngest player in the Pacific League.

[10] On August 9, 2022, Kondoh recorded his first walk-off home run against the Saitama Seibu Lions.

On December 12, 2022, it was announced that Kondoh would sign with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on a seven-year deal worth 5 billion yen overall.

[15] He also won the Outstanding Player Award for his batting average of .413, 5 home runs, and 15 RBIs in interleague play.

[18][19] Kondoh made 129 appearances for Fukuoka in 2024, slashing .314/.439/.521 with 19 home runs, 72 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.

[24] He contributed to the team's championship with a batting average of .346, a 2 home runs, a OBP of .500, and an OPS of 1.115.

Kondoh with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
Kondoh with the WBC Japan national team at Tokyo Dome on March 16, 2023