Keisuke Kaneko

Keisuke Kaneko (金子 圭輔) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder, and current the third squad inside defense and base running coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

He previously played for the Fukuoka Daiei / SoftBank Hawks, and the Orix Buffaloes.

Fukuoka Daiei / SoftBank Hawks
On November 19, 2003, Kaneko was drafted 6th round pick by the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the 2003 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.

During Kaneko's first era with the Hawks, he appeared in 32 games in the Pacific League in the 2008 season, but was only able to play in 54 games over six seasons.

On April 30, midway through the 2010 season, Kaneko and Hisao Arakane were traded to the Orix Buffaloes exchange to Takehito Kanazawa.

Orix Buffaloes


In 2010 season, Kaneko appeared in 31 games and recorded a batting average of .217, two RBIs, and four stolen bases.

On January 24, 2012, after Kaneko played two seasons with the Buffaloes, he returned to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in a trade exchange to Hideaki Takahashi.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
After returning to the Hawks, Kaneko contributed to the team with his high defensive ability, able to defend all positions in the infield.

He appeared in 157 games from the 2012 - 2016 season, but announced his retirement on November 30, 2016.

Kaneko played 13 seasons, appearing in 253 games and a batting average of .197, a 42 hits, a RBI of 17, a 10 stolen bases, and a 18 sacrifice bunts.

After retirement
Kaneko worked as a team staff member as a public relations officer for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

He also served as a leading scorer starting in the 2021 season.

On October 31 2022, The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks announced that Kaneko will inauguration as coach from the 2023 season.