Brazil’s next hope: Bo Takahashi ready for the call
By Jose Romero
Rodrigo Hitoshi “Bo” Takahashi, the first Brazilian player in the history of the Diamondbacks organization, is a fascinating case study in baseball’s new frontier.
He signed with Arizona as a 16-year-old in 2013 and has been on his own since the following year. Brazil is certainly not the first country in South America that comes to mind when fans think about prospect pipelines for major league talent.
However, in the land of Pele, Neymar Jr. and o jogo bonito, another sport is beginning to flourish. With a little help from Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, Takahashi looks ahead to his baseball future with an excitement that is beyond the languages he speaks.
Through baseball he has become fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish. The third generation Brazilian of Japanese descent also understands Japanese.
Now, he’s ready to focus on the culture of balls and strikes.
“What am I going to do today to be better than yesterday.”
“Every day when I wake up I have a question in my mind, like what am I going to do today to be better than yesterday,” Takahashi said. “With that in mind, I have been getting better every day. I’m still learning, but I’m trying to learn something new every day, and that, I think is the way to get better and get to Major League Baseball.”
Takahashi, now 21, has played at every level of the Diamondbacks’ system below Class AAA. He earned a call-up to Class AA Jackson after being named Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April at Class A Visalia in 2018.
The righthander has been primarily a starter, but he was used mainly out of the bullpen in the Fall League. He admits he isn’t going to blow away hitters with a blazing fastball.
“I have a low-90s fastball, so I’ve got to command my fastball well and my other pitches, too,” Takahashi said. “I’m a four-pitch guy, fastball, curveball, slider, changeup.”
The Diamondbacks found Takahashi in Brazil with the help of scout Kelvin Kondo, who is now with the big-league club serving as a translator for Japanese pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano.
A Major League Baseball academy in the Brazilian metropolis of Sao Paulo has increased exposure to America’s pastime. Takahashi is from Presidente Prudente, a city 300 miles from Sao Paulo.
He said the sport of baseball is growing in Brazil, even since 2017 when he was part of the team that played in the World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament.
“Every year it’s getting better and better,” Takahashi said.
Brazil is managed by Larkin, the Hall of Fame shortstop and former Cincinnati Reds star. Takahashi has had several Brazilian major leaguers to look up to, including pitcher Andre Rienzo (White Sox, Marlins), outfielder Paulo Orlando (Royals), catcher Yan Gomes (now with Washington) and a player he has developed with, flame-throwing pitcher Thyago Vieira (White Sox).
Rienzo was an inspiration because he played against Takahashi’s oldest brother. Young Bo tagged along at the diamonds watching Rienzo pitch. Now Takahashi talks to and exchanges text messages with Rienzo and Vieira frequently.
“I watched them play against my brothers, and I like them because they are really good, and friendly, too,” Takahashi said.
He is farther away from home than even the Diamondbacks’ minor leaguers from Cuba, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. It isn’t easy, but Takahashi uses today’s phone technology to keep in touch with family in Brazil.
He keeps himself occupied by visiting major cities near where he is playing ball.
The Diamondbacks have some talent in the minor leagues. Part of it was on display in the Arizona Fall League.
Takahashi’s ability to speak Spanish, English and Portuguese made him an integral part of the Salt River Rafters’ clubhouse. He was the conduit of information among teammates who couldn’t speak enough Spanish or English.
“Being a part of this is great,” he said. “I can learn from other players, too.”
Featured Image: Alex Trautwig / Major League Baseball