Yoshihisa Hirano is heading back to Nippon Professional Baseball, as the Orix Buffaloes announced that the right-hander has signed a one-year deal. According to The Mainichi and other news outlets, Hirano will earn approximately $1.4MM, plus the contract also contains incentive bonuses.
Hirano (who turns 37 in March) rose to prominence over 11 seasons with the Buffaloes from 2006-17, posting a 3.10 ERA, 22.09 strikeout percentage, and 5.7 walk percentage over 974 2/3 innings. After transitioning into relief pitching in 2009, Hirano became one of NPB’s top closers, racking up 156 saves during his previous stint in a Buffaloes uniform.
Hirano came to North America after signing a two-year, $6MM deal with the Diamondbacks in the 2017-18 offseason. The transition was initially smooth, as Hirano posted a 2.44 ERA over 66 1/3 innings out of Arizona’s bullpen and finished sixth in NL Rookie Of The Year voting in 2018. Some elbow problems hampered Hirano in 2019, however, and after signing a free agent deal with the Mariners last winter, his arrival to Seattle’s Summer Camp was delayed by a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
All told, Hirano delivered a 3.69 ERA over 131 2/3 innings in the Show — not bad results for a pitcher who lacked a big fastball, and posted only a middle-of-the pack 23.5K% and 14K-BB%. Hirano induced a lot of soft contact from hitters and had a 47.3% grounder rate over his MLB career, though home runs became an increasingly larger issue for the righty.
“lacked a big fastbal“
If it was big it would be a fastballl.
Barley remember him
Is “Barley” a player?
Yeah he played for Johnny Oates
His teammates were Zach Wheat, Sam Rice, and Jim Rice.
Unfortunately, the team didn’t have any other players, so they barley won any games.
Sayonara Yoshi!
From cy young to sayonara
I saw this guy dominate against my Nats in 2018 for an inning. I thought he would be in the big leagues for years until I realized he was 36 at the time I think
I enjoyed watching him in his rookie year, he was pretty solid overall. Don’t expect him to ever come back though, considering his age.
Probably not, although I can see some MLB teams being interested if he has a good year and shows he’s healthy. He has three years of service time. IIRC, major league pension rights kick in with four years. Coming back for one more season would have lifetime financial benefits.
Heading back home, just like Tanaka. It’s been an interesting off season.