Why Hirama’s Week Stands Out

Hirama’s dominance this week was built on three straight outings where he allowed just two earned runs across 24 innings. His most impressive performance came in a 3-0 victory over the Lézards de Saint-Hyacinthe on June 7, where he struck out 12 batters while walking none. The league said in its official announcement that Hirama’s “command, velocity, and ability to induce weak contact” made him the clear choice for the weekly honor.

According to QBML official records, Hirama’s 1.00 ERA over his last three starts is the best in the league, surpassing the previous weekly leader by 0.80 points. His 24 strikeouts in those games also rank second in the QBML this season, behind only the Capitaux de Québec’s ace.

Key Performances That Earned the Honor

Hirama’s standout week included:

• June 3 vs. Carabins de Montréal: 7 innings, 1 earned run, 9 strikeouts, 0 walks. His fastball averaged 94 mph with a 12-6 curveball split.
• June 5 vs. Draveurs de Gatineau: 6 innings, 0 earned runs, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk. Induced a groundout in his first 10 pitches.
• June 7 vs. Lézards de Saint-Hyacinthe: 9 innings, 0 earned runs, 12 strikeouts, 0 walks. Walked off the final batter on a flyout to center.

Granby manager Jean-François Morin told reporters, “Rintaro has been our most consistent pitcher this season. His ability to get ahead in counts and attack hitters with multiple pitches has been the difference in close games.”

What This Means for Granby’s Playoff Push

With Hirama’s strong performances, the Guerriers have climbed to within two games of the QBML’s top four playoff seeds. The team currently sits at 38-32, good for third place in the North Division, with a chance to secure a wildcard spot if they win two of their next three games.

According to league standings, Granby is just one game behind the fourth-place Draveurs. Hirama’s recent dominance gives the team a critical advantage heading into their June 12 series against the Capitaux de Québec, who currently lead the North Division.

Morin added, “If Rintaro stays healthy and continues to pitch like this, we’ll have a real shot at making the playoffs. His performance this week has given our offense confidence to push him deep into games.”

Hirama’s Rise in the QBML

Hirama, who signed with Granby as a free agent in December 2023, has been a revelation since his arrival. Coming from the Japanese independent leagues, the 6-foot-3 right-hander has adapted quickly to North American pitching demands, posting a 3.12 ERA in 12 starts this season.

His success has drawn comparisons to other Japanese-born pitchers who have thrived in the QBML, including former Guerriers standout Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who won the league’s Cy Young Award in 2021. Hirama’s ability to mix a four-seam fastball (92-95 mph), sinker (90-93 mph), and slider (82-85 mph) has made him particularly difficult for hitters to square up.

Team president Pierre-Olivier Leduc called Hirama’s development “one of the best stories in our organization this year.” “He came in with a lot of talent but needed to adjust to our hitting style. Now he’s our most reliable arm, and that’s huge for our playoff hopes.”

How Hirama Compares to Other QBML Pitchers

Hirama’s 1.00 ERA over his last three starts is the best in the QBML, but how does it stack up against other top pitchers?

Source: QBML Pitching Stats

While Guénette has been the QBML’s most consistent starter this season, Hirama’s recent surge has made him the most dominant pitcher over the past week. His ability to limit walks (just one in his last 24 innings) has been particularly notable, as the QBML averages 1.8 walks per nine innings this year.

What’s Next for Hirama and Granby

Hirama is scheduled to make his next start on June 14 against the Draveurs de Gatineau, where he’ll look to extend his streak of strong outings. The Guerriers will need him to continue his dominance if they hope to secure a playoff spot before the QBML’s postseason begins on June 28.

Granby’s next three series are critical:

• June 12-14: vs. Capitaux de Québec (home) – QBML’s top team
• June 17-19: at Lézards de Saint-Hyacinthe (road) – Current second place
• June 21-23: vs. Carabins de Montréal (home) – Wildcard contention

If Granby wins two of these three series, they’ll lock up a playoff berth. Hirama’s role will be pivotal, as the Guerriers’ offense has struggled in close games this season, scoring just 2.8 runs per game in one-run decisions.

How to Follow QBML Action

For fans looking to track Hirama’s progress and Granby’s playoff push, here are the best ways to stay updated:

• QBML Live Scores – Real-time game updates
• Granby Schedule – Full season lineup
• @QBML_officiel – Official league Twitter
• Baseball-Reference QBML Page – Advanced stats and historical context