Hiroshi Urano (born May 21, 1979) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher and current coach. He spent his entire professional playing career with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Early Life and Career Urano was born in Nishio, Aichi, Japan. He attended Aichi Institute of Technology High School and later Aichi Institute of Technology. After university, he was drafted by the Chunichi Dragons in the second round of the 2001 NPB draft.
Professional Career Urano made his professional debut with the Chunichi Dragons in 2002. He primarily served as a relief pitcher for much of his career, known for his durable arm and ability to pitch in various situations, including setup and occasional closing roles.
A right-handed pitcher, Urano's repertoire included a fastball, a slider, and a particularly effective forkball, which became one of his signature pitches. He was a consistent presence in the Dragons' bullpen, contributing to multiple successful seasons for the team.
One of his career highlights was being a member of the Chunichi Dragons team that won the Japan Series in 2007, defeating the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He retired from professional baseball after the 2014 season.
Post-Playing Career Following his retirement as a player, Urano transitioned into a coaching role. He has served as a pitching coach within the Chunichi Dragons organization, working with the farm team and contributing to the development of younger pitchers. He has also occasionally worked as a baseball commentator.
Career Statistics (NPB Highlights)
- Years Played: 2002–2014
- Team: Chunichi Dragons
- Position: Pitcher (Right-handed)
- Notable Achievements: Japan Series Champion (2007)