Who Is Kenta Maeda? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on April 11, 1988, Kenta Maeda is currently 37 years old. He made his mark in baseball while playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and later transitioned to MLB, where he has continued to excel. His impressive career statistics and work ethic have earned him a reputation as a reliable pitcher.
For more detailed information, visit his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Baseball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 11, 1988 |
| Age | 37 Years |
| Birth Place | Tadaoka, Osaka, Japan |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | Japan |
Popularity
Kenta Maeda's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Kenta Maeda stands at a height of 6 feet (183 cm) and weighs approximately 202 pounds (92 kg). His athletic build contributes to his effectiveness on the mound, where his agility, strength, and precision play a pivotal role in his performance.
Maeda is a 6 ft, 185 lb right-handed pitcher. He throws from a three-quarters arm slot and his Japanese-style windup features a slight pause at the top of his leg kick.
Maeda mixes his pitches well; his four-seam fastball regularly sits in the low 90s, topping out at 96 mph (his two-seam is a tick slower), complementing it with an elite combination of an above-average slider in the low 80s and an above-average changeup.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Kenta Maeda is married to his long-time girlfriend, who he tied the knot with in a private ceremony. The couple has been together for several years, sharing their lives and supporting each other's endeavors. While the details around his personal life are kept relatively private, Maeda occasionally shares glimpses of his family life on social media, showcasing a warm and loving relationship with his spouse.
Maeda lives in Tokyo with his wife, Saho, daughter and son. A fan of the reality television show Terrace House since its beginning, Maeda personally asked to be a guest commentator and appeared in episode 45 of the Opening New Doors season.
Net Worth and Salary
Kenta Maeda's net worth in 2025 is estimated to be around $20 million. His earnings primarily stem from his lucrative contracts in both the NPB and MLB, along with endorsements and sponsorship deals. Maeda has consistently commanded significant salaries throughout his career, reflecting his talent and value to his teams.
On January 7, 2016, Maeda signed an eight-year, $25 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that included $10 million per year in incentives.
The deal would have reached a total of around $90.2 million throughout the course of the contract if he reached all of the incentives, which included annual roster bonus of $150,000 if he was on the 25-man opening-day active roster and $6.5 million annually based on starts: $1 million each for 15 and 20, and $1.5 million apiece for 25, 30 and 32 st
arts.
It also had incentives of $3.5 million annually based on innings pitched: $250,000 for 90 and each additional 10 through 190, and $750,000 for 200. The deal was structured in this manner because Maeda's original physical with the team revealed some unspecified "irregularities." The Dodgers also paid a $20 million posting fee to the Hiroshima Carp.
Career, Business and Investments
Kenta Maeda's career began in Japan, where he gained recognition for his outstanding performance in the NPB. In 2015, he made the leap to MLB, where he continued to thrive with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and later the Minnesota Twins. In addition to his baseball career, Maeda has also ventured into various business opportunities, including involvement in sports technology and fitness-related investments. His keen sense for business has allowed him to diversify his income streams beyond the baseball diamond.
On November 28, 2023, Maeda signed a two-year, $24 million, contract with the Detroit Tigers. Maeda struggled to a 7.26 ERA across his first 16 starts, and the Tigers announced he would be moving to the bullpen for the "foreseeable future" on July 11, 2024. He fared better as a reliever, posting a 3.86 ERA in 42 innings.
Overall, Maeda finished the worst season of his career with a 3–7 record and 6.09 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings pitched across 29 games (17 starts).
Social Network
Kenta Maeda is active on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where he shares updates about his career and personal life with fans. His engaging posts often highlight his training routines, family moments, and community involvement, making him a relatable figure for many of his followers.
Maeda picked up the win in his MLB debut on April 6, 2016, pitching six shutout innings against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. His first major league strikeout was of Padres starter Andrew Cashner in the top of the second inning. He also hit a home run off of Cashner in his second at-bat for his first major league hit.
He made a team high 32 starts with a 16–11 record and 3.48 ERA and was selected by Baseball America to their all-rookie team. He made three starts in the post-season for the Dodgers, losing one game in the Division Series and pitching two no-decisions in the Championship Series. He allowed eight runs in 102/3 innings.
He finished third in the voting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award behind his teammate Corey Seager and Trea Turner of the Washington Nationals.
Education
Kenta Maeda attended the prestigious Kobe Shiori High School, where he honed his pitching skills and established himself as a top talent. His commitment to education and sports has played a crucial role in shaping his career, and he continues to advocate for the importance of balancing academics with athletic pursuits.
The Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) selected Maeda out of PL Gakuen Senior High School in the 2006 NPB draft. He played in 2007 for the Carp's secondary team, before being called up to the NPB team in 2008.
Conclusion
Kenta Maeda's journey from Japan to Major League Baseball is an inspiring tale of dedication and talent. At 37 years old, he continues to make significant strides in his career while maintaining a healthy personal life and a growing fortune. With a bright future ahead, Maeda remains a beloved figure in the world of sports, reflecting the ideals of hard work and passion that resonate with fans everywhere.
