Katsunori Hirai

Katsunori Hirai
Hirai with the Saitama Seibu Lions
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1991-12-20) December 20, 1991
Ichinomiya, Aichi, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
May 27, 2017, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
NPB statistics
(through 2025 season)
Win–loss29–25
ERA3.39
Strikeouts353
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Katsunori Hirai (平井 克典, Hirai Katsunori; born December 20, 1991) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

Career

Saitama Seibu Lions

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.

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna

On January 4, 2026, Hirai signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.[2] He made three appearances for Unión Laguna, but struggled to a 27.00 ERA with one strikeout across 2+1⁄3 innings pitched. Hirai was released by the Algodoneros on April 26.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "パ最多記録更新！西武・平井が８１戦登板". SANSPO.COM（サンスポ） (in Japanese). 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  2. ↑ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 4 de enero de 2026". lmb.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  3. ↑ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 26 de abril de 2026". lmb.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved May 16, 2026.
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