Katsunori Hirai

Hirai was selected in the 5th round in the 2016 Nippon Professional Baseball draft by the Saitama Seibu Lions. In the 2019 NPB season, Hirai appeared in 81 games, breaking the Pacific League Record for most games pitched, previously held by Kazuhisa Inao.^[1]

In 350 total appearances for the Lions across parts of eight seasons, Hirai compiled a 29-25 record and 3.39 ERA with 353 strikeouts over 459 innings of work.

On January 4, 2026, Hirai signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.^[2] In 3 games he threw 2.1 innings of relief going 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA (7 earned runs) with more walks (4) than strikeouts (1). He was released on April 26.^[3]

• Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
• NPB.com

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