Yoshihisa Hirano
From BR Bullpen
Yoshihisa Hirano (平野 佳寿)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
- School Kyoto Sangyo University
- High School Toba High School
- Born March 8, 1984 in Uji, Kyoto Japan
Yoshihisa Hirano has pitched four seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball through 2009.
Hirano only pitched a little bit in high school due to back problems. He went on to star in college, winning 36 games and setting a Kansai Scholastic League record with 404 strikeouts. The Orix Buffaloes drafted him in the first round in 2005.
As a rookie in 2006, Hirano led with 172 1/3 innings pitched. He had a 7-11, 3.81 record, comparable to teammate Masato Yoshii, a former major leaguer. He completed 10 starts, second in the Pacific League behind Daisuke Matsuzaka, and tied Shunsuke Watanabe for third in losses. His four shutouts were second to Kazumi Saitoh's 5 and his 182 hits allowed were second to Yasuhiro Ichiba. He made the PL All-Star team that year.
In 2007, Hirano was 8-13 with a 3.72 ERA. He led the PL in losses, thanks to his playing for a last-place team, despite an ERA just around league average.
Hirano was rocked in 2008, going 1-2 with a 8.28 ERA and .366 opponent average in a campaign cut short by elbow surgery.
Hirano throws a slider, curveball, shuuto, forkball and a fastball which has peaked at 94 mph.
