Baltimore Orioles Sign Veteran Japanese Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano
The Baltimore Orioles have made a notable addition to their pitching rotation by signing veteran Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano, who has garnered significant accolades during his tenure in Japan, agreed to a one-year deal worth $13 million with the Orioles.
A Distinguished Career in Japan
At 35, Sugano brings a wealth of experience from his career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), where he spent 12 successful seasons with the Yomiuri Giants. Over nearly 300 professional appearances, he amassed a career 2.45 ERA, cementing his reputation as one of the top pitchers in the league. Notably, Sugano has been selected to eight All-Star Games, won two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, and earned two prestigious Eiji Sawamura Awards, an honor given to the best starting pitcher in NPB each season.
In his most recent season, Sugano posted a dazzling 1.67 ERA, alongside 111 strikeouts and just 16 unintentional walks over 156 2/3 innings in 2024. His strikeout-to-walk (K/BB) ratio remains impressive at 4.53. While his strikeout rate was 6.4 per nine innings, Sugano's effectiveness on the mound often outpaces traditional strikeout metrics.
Skills and Potential Impact
Known for his precise control and strategic pitching style, Sugano's arsenal includes a fastball that typically sits in the low-90s range and a splitter that has been described as particularly deceptive. These qualities have contributed to his lasting success in NPB, and the Orioles are hopeful that his skills will translate well to Major League Baseball (MLB).
The Orioles, who have made the postseason in each of the last two years, are looking to bolster their rotation in light of ace Corbin Burnes testing the free-agent market. Adding Sugano gives the team a seasoned professional who can provide stability and leadership to a pitching staff that has struggled to advance beyond the opening rounds of the playoffs.
Transition to Major League Baseball
Sugano had previously considered entering MLB before the 2021 season, but he ultimately chose to continue his career in Japan. His decision to join the Orioles at this juncture marks a significant transition, one that will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. There is a rich history of Japanese pitchers successfully transitioning to MLB, and Sugano's robust track record suggests he might continue that tradition.
The Orioles' management is optimistic about Sugano's capacity to adapt to the different style of play in MLB and his ability to mentor younger pitchers. His international experience and accomplishments are expected to be a valuable asset in their quest to make deeper postseason runs.
Looking Forward
For Sugano, the move to the Orioles represents a new chapter in an already illustrious career. It provides him with an opportunity to test his mettle against the best hitters in the world and to contribute to a team eager to build on recent postseason appearances. As the Orioles prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on this veteran pitcher to see how his skills translate to the MLB stage, potentially influencing the trajectory of Baltimore's pitching staff in the process.