Ryokan Kobayashi

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 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, 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.

Career statistics

NPB Eastern League (Japan)

North American League (Ind. Canadian)

Shikoku Island League (Ind. Japan)

CPBL (Taiwan)

Liga Invernal Veracruzana (Mex. Winter Baseball)

Liga Norte de México (Mex.)

KBO Futures League (Freedom Division)