Baltimore Orioles Add Japanese Veteran Tomoyuki Sugano to Roster
The Baltimore Orioles have made a strategic offseason move that could bolster their pitching rotation by signing veteran Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano, who brings a wealth of experience from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), inked a one-year deal worth $13 million with Baltimore.
Impressive Track Record in Japan
Sugano's resume from his 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants is nothing short of impressive. At 35, he has showcased durability and consistency, evidenced by a career 2.45 ERA in nearly 300 professional appearances in Japan. His control on the mound is reflected in his remarkable strikeout-to-walk (K/BB) ratio of 4.53. This past season, Sugano delivered a standout performance, posting a 1.67 ERA with 111 strikeouts against 16 unintentional walks across 156 2/3 innings.
Additionally, Sugano's prowess has been recognized with eight selections to the NPB All-Star Games, two MVP awards, and two prestigious Eiji Sawamura Awards, distinguishing him as one of the best pitchers in the league.
Adjusting to the Major Leagues
Sugano's signing comes at a critical time for the Orioles, who have made postseason appearances in the past two years but have struggled to advance beyond the early rounds. The addition of Sugano aims to address this gap, especially with their ace Corbin Burnes exploring opportunities in the free-agent market.
The Orioles will be keen on leveraging Sugano's experience to stabilize their rotation. His fastball, clocking in the low-90s range, coupled with a deceptive splitter, has the potential to trouble Major League hitters. Although his recent strikeout rate of 6.4 per nine innings was modest, his other statistics suggest he can contribute effectively against MLB lineups.
Previous Considerations for MLB
This signing also marks the realization of a prospect Sugano had considered before. As early as 2021, he weighed joining Major League Baseball, indicating a long-standing interest in competing at the highest level of the sport. Now, with the Orioles, Sugano has the platform to test his skills beyond Japan's shores.
Impact on the Orioles
For the Orioles, Sugano's arrival holds promise not just in filling a potential void left by Burnes but also in bringing a seasoned perspective to a team on the cusp of evolving their postseason fortunes. The Orioles' investment signals their intent to remain competitive and to capitalize on the mixture of existing talent with fresh experience from overseas.
As Spring Training approaches, all eyes will be on how Sugano adapts to the challenges of MLB play—a transition that has presented hurdles for many before him. Yet, supported by his track record and the Orioles' confidence in his abilities, Sugano stands as a pivotal figure in Baltimore's bid for further success in the upcoming season.