| Akira Neo 根尾昂 | |
| Position: | Infielder/Pitcher |
| Team: | Chunichi Dragons |
| Number: | 7 |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Right |
| Birth Date: | 19 April 2000 |
| Birth Place: | Hida, Gifu, Japan |
| Debutleague: | NPB |
| Debutteam: | Chunichi Dragons |
| Debutyear: | 29 September 2019 |
| Statyear: | 2022 season |
| Statleague: | NPB |
| Stat1label: | Batting average |
| Stat1value: | .171 |
| Stat2label: | Hits |
| Stat2value: | 40 |
| Stat3label: | Homeruns |
| Stat3value: | 1 |
| Stat4label: | RBIs |
| Stat4value: | 20 |
| Stat5label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat5value: | 0-0 |
| Stat6label: | ERA |
| Stat6value: | 3.41 |
| Stat7label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat7value: | 22 |
| Teams: |
|
is a professional Japanese baseball player. He has played as a position player but is currently a pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons.
A highly touted two-way talent when playing for Osaka Tōin High School, Neo contributed to his school's back to back wins at the 2018 spring invitational tournament and the summer national championships.[1]
On 20 October 2018, Neo was the contested 1st draft pick for the Chunichi Dragons, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Tokyo Yomiuri Giants at the 2018 NPB Draft.[2] Rights to negotiate for Neo's contract were won by the Dragons.[3] [4] [5] On 4 November, Neo signed a pre-contract with the Dragons guaranteeing a ¥100,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥15,000,000 yearly salary with ¥50,000,000 in incentives.[6]
Neo had been earmarked to start spring training with the first team,[7] but a pulled calf during an individual training session on 24 January confirmed a start with the second team.[8]
Neo had a slow start in the Western League batting under .200 for the first few months of his professional career before hitting .324 during the month of June.[9]
On July 10, it was confirmed that Neo would be starting the annual Fresh All-Stars game for the Western League alongside fellow 2018 draftees, Kōdai Umetsu and Kōta Ishibashi.[10]
Primarily playing at short, Neo amassed 32 home runs in his high school career as well as clocking 150 km/h (93 mph) on his fastball as a pitcher.[11] He can run 50 metres in 6 seconds flat and has a throwing range of 115 meters.
Neo was a Japanese champion alpine skier in middle school and represented Japan at an international tournament in Italy.[12] As a middle-school student, Neo played for Hida Boys with Kenshin Kakikoshi with whom he was reunited by with the Dragons at the 2018 draft. [13]