Hiroshi Kaino

Hiroshi Kaino
Kaino with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Saitama Seibu Lions – No. 34
Pitcher
Born: (1996-11-16) November 16, 1996 (age 27)
Nishiwaki, Hyōgo, Japan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
NPB debut
March 29, 2019, for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record7-8
ERA3.43
Holds41
Saves11
Strikeouts164
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
WBSC Premier12
Gold medal – first place 2019 Tokyo Team
Haarlem Baseball Week
Gold medal – first place 2018 Haarlem, Netherlands Team

Hiroshi Kaino (甲斐野 央, Kaino Hiroshi, born November 16, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Career

On October 25, 2018, Kaino was drafted by the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks first overall pick in the 2018 Nippon Professional Baseball draft.[1]

On March 29, 2019, kaino pitched his debut game against the Saitama Seibu Lions as a relief pitcher, and won the game for the first time in the Pacific League.[2] In 2019, the rookie year, he finished the regular season with a 2–5 Win–loss record, a 4.14 ERA, 73 strikeouts in 58+23 innings, 26 Holds, and 8 saves. And he pitched as a Setup man against the Yomiuri Giants in the 2019 Japan Series.

In 2020, Kaino hurt his right elbow in spring training and spent the season rehabilitating his right elbow.[3] And he had surgery on his right elbow on December 4.[4]

In 2021 season, Kaino spent the first half of the season in rehabilitation, but on August 15, against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, he pitched for the first time in 662 days in the Pacific League.[5] He recorded with a 22 Games pitched, a 0–2 Win–loss record, a 4.35 ERA, a 4 Holds, a one saves. and a 25 strikeouts in 20.2 innings.

In 2022 season, he finished the regular season with a 27 Games pitched, a 2–0 Win–loss record, a 2.52 ERA, a 3 Holds, and a 27 strikeouts in 25 innings.

On July 1, 2023, Kaino pitched as a closer against the Saitama Seibu Lions and recorded a save for the first time in two years.[6] In 2023 season, he finished the regular season with a 46 Games pitched, a 3-1 Win–loss record, a 2.53 ERA, a 8 holds, a 2 saves, and a 39 strikeouts in 42.2 innings.

On January 11, 2024, Kaino transferred to the Saitama Seibu Lions to compensate for Hotaka Yamakawa go to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks via free agent.

International career

Kaino represented the Japan national baseball team at the 2018 USA VS Japan Collegiate All-Star Series, 2018 Haarlem Baseball Week and 2019 WBSC Premier12.

During Toyo University era, Kaino was selected as the Japan for the 2018 USA VS Japan Collegiate All-Star Series and 2018 Haarlem Baseball Week.[7]

On October 24, 2019, he was selected as the Japan national baseball team in the 2019 WBSC Premier12.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク1位甲斐野が契約合意 将来は守護神に". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 27, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  2. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク甲斐野「うれしい」新人初勝利一番乗り". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). March 29, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク甲斐野、右ひじ違和感で治療専念へ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). February 15, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  4. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク甲斐野1200万減「悔しい思いした」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). December 14, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "full-count baseball news 662日ぶりの1軍登板 甲斐野央の復活が苦境の鷹リリーフ陣にもたらすもの". full-count.jp (in Japanese). August 17, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "Nikkansports Sports baseball news 【ソフトバンク】強力ブルペンが最終盤に威力発揮し競り勝つ 甲斐野央は2年ぶりセーブ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). July 1, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "Nishinippon Shimbun baseball news (Japanese) 勝ち星ゼロの苦境救った 父直伝のフォーク/ホークス1位・甲斐野央3". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). December 12, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  8. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンク甲斐野、巨人大竹ら侍追加招集「光栄」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.