Yoshihisa Hirano (baseball)

Yoshihisa Hirano (平野 佳寿, Hirano Yoshihisa) (born March 8, 1984) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Arizona Diamondbacks in MLB.

For the composer, see Yoshihisa Hirano.
Yoshihisa Hirano
Hirano with the Orix Buffaloes
Seattle Mariners – No. 6
Pitcher
Born: (1984-03-08) March 8, 1984
Kyoto, Japan
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 record48–69
Earned run average3.10
Strikeouts884
Saves156
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record9–8
Earned run average3.47
Strikeouts120
Saves4
Teams
Career highlights and awards
NPB

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 Buffaloes selected him with the first overall selection in the 2005 NPB draft.

Hirano pitched 12 seasons of professional ball in Japan, playing for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has been a full-time reliever since 2010 and the Buffaloes closer from 2012–2017. In his career, he pitched a total of 156 saves during his time with the Buffaloes.[2]

In the 2014 Nippon Professional Baseball season, Hirano led the Pacific League with 40 saves. He also won NPB’s best middle reliever award in 2011.[3]

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.[4]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 22, 2017, Hirano agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[5] In his first season with Arizona, Hirano finished with a record of 4-3 in 75 appearances. He collected 3 saves in ​66 1⁄3 innings.

Seattle Mariners

Hirano agreed to a one-year, $1.6M contract with the Seattle Mariners on January 30, 2020.[6]

International career

Hirano played for the Japanese National Team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[7] 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.[8]

References
  1. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/03/29/baseball/mlb/yoshihisa-hirano-finding-pieces-fit-major-league-puzzle/
  2. "Veteran reliever Yoshihisa Hirano embraces mindset of rookie as he moves to Diamondbacks". 26 December 2017 – via Japan Times Online.
  3. "Yoshihisa Hirano on verge of signing contract with Diamondbacks: source". 22 December 2017 – via Japan Times Online.
  4. "MLB Hot Stove: D-Backs reportedly agree to sign Japanese reliever Yoshihisa Hirano".
  5. Gilbert, Steve (December 22, 2017). "Hirano, D-backs reach two-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  6. Johns, Greg (January 30, 2020). "Mariners add late-inning option in Hirano". MLB.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  7. "Japan sets 2017 World Baseball Classic roster". MLB.com.
  8. "2017 World Baseball Classic USA vs. Japan final score: USA edges Japan to reach final".
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