Kensuke Tanaka, born in 1981, was a Japanese professional baseball player who had a brief Major League Baseball career with the San Francisco Giants in 2013. Known for his versatility and agility on the field, Tanaka played primarily as a position player, showcasing his skills in 15 games during his time at the highest level of the sport. He finished his MLB career with a batting average of .267, recording 8 hits, 2 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases, although he did not hit any home runs.
Tanaka's time in the major leagues was relatively short, spanning from July 9 to July 28, 2013, but he left a mark as a player who transitioned from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to the MLB. His ability to adapt to the different playing styles and competition levels highlighted the increasing globalization of baseball during the early 21st century. Though his MLB career was limited, Tanaka contributed to the growing narrative of international players making their mark in American baseball, further bridging the gap between the two leagues.
