is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Over his 16-year career, he played professional baseball in Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, and South Korea. He was used primarily as a starting pitcher. Kobayashi graduated from famed baseball-focused PL Gakuen High School in Osaka, where he was a teammate of Kosuke Fukudome, who played for the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...

in Major League Baseball. Drafted in the fifth round of the 1997 draft by the Chiba Lotte Marines, Kobayashi played five seasons for their minor league "ni-gun" affiliate, from 1998 to 2002, but his 6.39 ERA prevented him from being promoted to the NPB club. Froom 2003 to 2005, he was on the "team staff" of the Chunichi Dragons, but never appeared in a game. In 2006, Kobayashi left Japan for Canada to play for the Calgary Vipers of the independent North American League,Calgary Vipers News Release
"Vipers Roster Set,"
''Our Sports Central'' (May 17, 2006). going 0–2 with a 5.32 ERA for the season. Returning to Japan in 2007, Kobayashi played for the Kagawa Olive Guyners of the independent Shikoku Island League. Appearing mostly as a reliever, he had a 2.59 ERA in just over 31 innings pitched. Kobayashi had his greatest success in 2008–2009, playing for the Brother Elephants of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. In 2008 he compiled a 10–6 record, with a 2.66 ERA and 110 strikeouts. He was also the Player of the Month of October 2008. To top it off, he won the 2008 CPBL Gold Glove award. Kobayashi moved on to Mexico in 2010–2010, first playing for the Chileros de Xalapa and

Gallos de Santa Rosa The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country. The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...

in the

Liga Invernal Veracruzana The Veracruz Winter League (Spanish: Liga Invernal Veracruzana de Béisbol Profesional) is a professional baseball winter league, representing the Mexican state of Veracruz, taking place between the months of October and January. It is currently ...

Mexican winter league, and then the

Marineros de Ensenada The Marineros de Ensenada (''Ensenada Mariners'') are a Mexican professional baseball based in Ensenada, Baja California. They compete in the Liga Norte de México (LNM), a feeder league for the Mexican League. The Marineros are one of the most ...

of Liga Norte de México. He was selected to play in the 2011 LNM All-Star Game. Kobayashi moved to South Korea in 2012 to pitch as a closer for the Goyang Wonders of the KBO Futures League. He played for the Wonders from 2012 to 2013, compiling an 8–5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 17 saves. After his playing career was over, Kobayashi opened a baseball academy in Fukuoka.TOKUNAGA, TARO
"Coronavirus puts global spotlight on Taiwanese baseball,"
''Japan Times'' (May 24, 2020).