Yoshihisa Hirano (baseball)
Yoshihisa Hirano | |
---|---|
![]() Hirano with the Orix Buffaloes | |
Orix Buffaloes – No. 16 | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Kyoto, Japan | March 8, 1984|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
Professional debut | |
NPB: March 26, 2006, for the Orix Buffaloes | |
MLB: March 29, 2018, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
NPB statistics (through 2017) | |
Win–loss record | 48–69 |
Earned run average | 3.10 |
Strikeouts | 884 |
Saves | 156 |
MLB statistics (through 2020 season) | |
Win–loss record | 9–9 |
Earned run average | 3.69 |
Strikeouts | 131 |
Teams | |
| |
Career highlights and awards | |
NPB
|
Yoshihisa Hirano (平野 佳寿, Hirano Yoshihisa) (born March 8, 1984) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Buffaloes from 2006-2007, 2009-2017, and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 and 2019, and the Seattle Mariners in 2020 in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Hirano is a right-handed pitcher with a three-quarters delivery. As a reliever, he throws a fastball topping out at mid-90s and a forkball as his primary pitches.[1]
Career[]
Orix Buffaloes[]
The Orix Buffaloes selected him with the first overall selection in the 2005 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.[2] Hirano made his professional debut in 2006, pitching 172.1 innings of 3.81 ERA ball. The next year, Hirano logged an 8-13 record and 3.72 ERA in 27 appearances with the team. In 2008, Hirano did not make an appearance with the major club, pitching in 6 games for Orix's minor league club. He returned to Orix in 2009, pitching to a 3-12 record and 4.72 ERA in 20 appearances. In 2010, Hirano improved on his performance from the previous year, recording a stellar 7-2 record and 1.67 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 80.2 innings of work. He continued his success in 2011, logging a 6-2 record and 1.94 ERA in 83.2 innings of work. He also won NPB’s best middle reliever award in 2011.[3] His fine work continued in 2012, with an ERA of 2.15 paired with a record of 7-4 in 70 appearances. Hirano carried his success into 2013 as well, pitching to a 1.87 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 62.2 innings pitched for Orix. He was not as successful in 2014, but still had a solid year, registering a 3.43 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched. Hirano also led the Pacific League in 2014 in saves, with 40. In 2015, Hirano posted a 3.82 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 33.0 innings across 33 appearances for the team. In 2016, Hirano had a strong year, posting a 4-4 record and 1.92 ERA in 58 appearances for Orix.[4] During the 2017 season, his last before signing with a Major League Baseball team, the right-handed Hirano saved 29 games and pitched to a 2.67 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings.[5]
Hirano pitched 12 seasons of professional ball in Japan with Orix. He became a full-time reliever in 2010 and was the Buffaloes closer from 2012–2017. In his time with the Buffaloes, he recorded a total of 156 saves.[6]
Arizona Diamondbacks[]
On December 22, 2017, Hirano agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[7] In his first season with Arizona, Hirano finished with a record of 4-3 with a 2.44 ERA in 75 appearances. He collected 3 saves in 66+1⁄3 innings. In 2019, Hirano could not replicate his success, posting a less appealing 5-5 record and 4.75 ERA across 62 contests.
Seattle Mariners[]
Hirano agreed to a one-year, $1.6M contract with the Seattle Mariners on January 30, 2020.[8] On July 14, 2020, Hirano mentioned that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[9] On August 22, 2020, he made his Mariners debut.[10] In 13 appearances for the Mariners in 2020, Hirano pitched to a 5.84 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 12.1 innings pitched.[11] On October 28, 2020, Hirano became a free agent.[12]
Orix Buffaloes (second stint)[]
On February 6, 2021, Hirano signed a one-year, $1.4MM contract to return to the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball, the team with which he had begun his career and pitched for from 2005 to 2017.[13] On February 10, 2021, he held press conference.[14]
International career[]
Hirano played for the Japanese National Team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[15] After advancing to the championship round, Japan lost to the United States 2–1 in the semifinal, finishing the tournament in third place. Hirano earned a bronze medal for his performance in the games.[16]
References[]
- ^ https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/03/29/baseball/mlb/yoshihisa-hirano-finding-pieces-fit-major-league-puzzle/
- ^ "オリックス・バファローズ 選択選手一覧". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ "Yoshihisa Hirano on verge of signing contract with Diamondbacks: source". 22 December 2017 – via Japan Times Online.
- ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hirano001yos
- ^ "MLB Hot Stove: D-Backs reportedly agree to sign Japanese reliever Yoshihisa Hirano".
- ^ "Veteran reliever Yoshihisa Hirano embraces mindset of rookie as he moves to Diamondbacks". 26 December 2017 – via Japan Times Online.
- ^ Gilbert, Steve (December 22, 2017). "Hirano, D-backs reach two-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ Johns, Greg (January 30, 2020). "Mariners add late-inning option in Hirano". MLB.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "マリナーズ平野投手がコロナ感染". 共同通信社 (in Japanese). July 15, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ^ "ヨシハサ? ハラノ? マリナーズ平野がコロナ復帰、新天地デビュー1イニング無失点2奪三振". 中スポ 東京中日スポーツ (in Japanese). August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ^ https://www.mlb.com/player/yoshihisa-hirano-673633
- ^ @MLBPA_News (28 October 2020). "147 Players today were declared XX(B) free agents. Additional Players may become XX(B) free agents pending option d…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "平野佳寿投手 契約合意のお知らせ". オリックスバファローズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ "平野佳寿投手 入団発表記者会見". オリックスバファローズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ "Japan sets 2017 World Baseball Classic roster". MLB.com.
- ^ "2017 World Baseball Classic USA vs. Japan final score: USA edges Japan to reach final".
External links[]
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yoshihisa Hirano. |
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- NPB official site
- Yoshihisa Hirano on Instagram
- 1984 births
- Living people
- Arizona Diamondbacks players
- Baseball people from Kyoto
- Japanese expatriate baseball players in the United States
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Major League Baseball players from Japan
- National baseball team players
- Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers
- Orix Buffaloes players
- Seattle Mariners players
- 2017 World Baseball Classic players