The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant move in the off-season by signing the accomplished Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano, at 35, joins the Orioles on a one-year contract valued at $13 million, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his twelve successful seasons with Japan's Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
A Career of Excellence in NPB
During his tenure with the Yomiuri Giants, Sugano established himself as one of NPB's most formidable pitchers. He boasts a career earned run average (ERA) of 2.45 and nearly 300 professional appearances, a testament to his durability and consistency on the mound. Sugano's performance has earned him eight selections to NPB All-Star Games, highlighting his peerless ability and respected status within the league.
Sugano's impressive stats are further emphasized by his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.53, a figure that reflects his precision and control. In his most recent season, Sugano managed to lower his ERA even further to an astonishing 1.67, along with 111 strikeouts and only 16 unintentional walks over 156 2/3 innings pitched in 2024.
A Respected Legacy
Sugano's accomplishments do not stop at All-Star games and stellar ERAs. He is a two-time winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award, which is Japan’s equivalent to MLB's Cy Young Award. Additionally, he has twice been named NPB's Most Valuable Player, an accolade that underscores his impact on Japanese baseball.
Despite his illustrious career in Japan, Sugano had previously shown interest in Major League Baseball before the 2021 season. His move to the Orioles represents a long-considered step into one of the world’s most prestigious baseball arenas.
The Orioles' Aspirations
The Orioles, who have seen postseason action in the past two years but faced challenges advancing beyond the opening rounds, are clearly looking to add depth and expertise to their pitching rotation. Sugano arrives at a time when the team's ace, Corbin Burnes, is exploring free-agent opportunities, presenting a timely addition to bolster the Orioles' pitching staff.
Sugano's fastball, while not the fastest, resides in the low-90s range, but it is his deceptive splitter that often leaves hitters guessing. His strategic pitching could offer the Orioles a tactical edge, particularly during tight games where every pitch counts.
Looking Forward
With a strikeout rate of 6.4 per nine innings last season, Sugano’s approach focuses more on precision and inducing outs than overpowering batters. This style could cater well to the Orioles' strategy, especially in clutch situations where control and deception are paramount. The Orioles have found in Sugano a veteran presence who not only adds skill but also a winning mindset that the team hopes will translate into success on the field.
As the Orioles prepare for the upcoming season, the addition of Tomoyuki Sugano is seen as a strategic move to enhance their chances of postseason success, with the club hoping that his experience and track record in Japan will lead to ambitious achievements in Major League Baseball.