Kenta Maeda

Player Information

Kenta Maeda is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher known for his impressive career in both Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball. After debuting with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2008, Maeda established himself as one of Japan's premier pitchers. He won the Eiji Sawamura Award as the best pitcher in 2010 and 2015, demonstrating his elite skills on the mound. In 2016, he signed an eight-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he made a significant impact in both starting and relief roles. He later continued his career with the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers, showcasing his versatility as a pitcher throughout his career.
Full Name :
Kenta Maeda
Birthdate :
11 April 1988
Gender :
Male
Height (cm) :
185
Weight (kg) :
84
Residence :
Tokyo, Japan
Nationality :
Japanese
Career Started :
2008
Notable Achievements :
Japanese Triple Crown (2010), 5× NPB All-Star (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), 3× Best Nine Award (2010, 2013, 2015), 5× Mitsui Golden Glove Award (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), 2× Eiji Sawamura Award (2010, 2015), 2× Central League wins champion (2010, 2015), 3× Central League ERA champion (2010, 2012, 2013), 2× Central League strikeout champion (2010, 2011), NPB All-Star Game MVP (2012)
Awards :
Eiji Sawamura Award (Win Year 2010), Eiji Sawamura Award (Win Year 2015)
Current Team :
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Previous Teams :
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (From 2008, To 2015), Los Angeles Dodgers (From 2016, To 2019), Minnesota Twins (From 2020, To 2021), Detroit Tigers (From 2024, To 2025)
Drafted :
2006
Drafted by :
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Active Status :
From - 2008, To - Present
Contract :
Contract Year 2025 to 2027, Salary N/A N/A

Biography

Kenta Maeda is a distinguished MLB pitcher who has displayed his talent across several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins. Known for his strong performances and resilience, Maeda holds a career record of 172 wins and over 1,000 strikeouts. He married Miki Maeda, with whom he shares a daughter, and maintains a supportive family life. With a net worth estimated at $30 million, Maeda’s path is marked by notable achievements and ongoing ambitions. Further insights into his career and achievements await exploration.

Early Life

Kenta Maeda began his expedition in baseball at a young age, showing exceptional talent as a pitcher during his high school years.

His dedication and skill led him to attend Waseda University, a prestigious institution where he continued to refine his pitching abilities.

His performance at the university level garnered considerable attention from professional scouts in Japan, paving the way for his future career in baseball.

Remarkably, Maeda’s achievements include winning the Sawamura Award in 2010, recognizing him as the best starting pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Family Life

Kenta Maeda is a devoted family man, married to Miki Maeda, and they have a daughter together.

During the MLB season, the Maeda family lives in the United States, allowing them to maintain strong family bonds while Kenta pursues his baseball career.

He frequently shares moments with his family on social media, demonstrating their close-knit relationship.

Kenta often expresses gratitude for their steadfast support, which has been a considerable source of motivation for him, especially during challenging periods in his career, including injuries and performance issues.

Career

Kenta Maeda is a right-handed pitcher who has played nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers.

Throughout his career, he has achieved a career ERA of 4.20 over 986.2 innings, accumulating 172 wins, 226 losses, and 1,055 strikeouts.

Maeda had his standout season in 2020 with the Minnesota Twins, posting an impressive 2.70 ERA.

Despite facing challenges with injuries and performance, leading to his release in May 2025, he signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs, aiming to continue his career.

Net Worth

Kenta Maeda’s net worth is estimated to be around $30 million, notably enhanced by his current $24 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Throughout his MLB career, he has earned considerable salaries, including $3 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, $10 million with the Minnesota Twins, and his peak salary of $14 million in 2024 with the Tigers.

Furthermore, he has earned $1 million in 2021 with the Twins and $2 million in 2022.

Future earnings may arise from a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs, alongside potential endorsements.