Baltimore Orioles Add Veteran Japanese Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to Their Roster
In a significant move for the Baltimore Orioles, the team has secured a deal with veteran Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. The Orioles announced that Sugano has signed a one-year contract valued at $13 million, bringing his wealth of experience and notable track record to Major League Baseball (MLB) from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
At 35 years old, Sugano is no stranger to success on the mound. Having spent 12 seasons with the prestigious Yomiuri Giants, Sugano has established himself as one of Japan's foremost pitchers. His career statistics in NPB are impressive, including a career earned run average (ERA) of 2.45, and nearly 300 appearances in professional games. Sugano has proven to be a dominant force with a strikeout-to-walk (K/BB) ratio of 4.53, illustrating his command and precision on the mound.
A Remarkable Career in Japan
Sugano's list of accomplishments in Japan is extensive. He is an eight-time All-Star, a testament to his consistent excellence and popularity. Beyond that, he has been honored with two MVP awards and has twice received the prestigious Eiji Sawamura Award, Japan's equivalent to the Cy Young Award, which recognizes the NPB’s best pitcher each season.
In his most recent season in 2024, Sugano showcased his enduring talent, posting a remarkable 1.67 ERA. Over 156 2/3 innings, he struck out 111 batters while allowing only 16 unintentional walks, maintaining a strikeout rate of 6.4 per nine innings. This performance underlines Sugano's ability to deliver quality outings consistently, even as he navigates the latter stages of his career.
Anticipated Impact on the Orioles
Sugano's signing comes at a crucial time for the Orioles, who have made postseason appearances in the last two years but have struggled to progress beyond the opening rounds. With the Orioles’ ace, Corbin Burnes, testing free agency, Sugano is expected to fill a vital role in the team's pitching rotation. His experience and skill set could provide the stability and poise needed for the Orioles to make a deeper playoff run.
Notably, Sugano considered joining the MLB before the 2021 season, illustrating his long-standing interest in competing at the highest level of the sport globally. Now with the Orioles, Sugano brings his low-90s fastball and deceptively effective splitter to the MLB, offering the team a new strategic element.
Looking Forward
The Orioles' decision to invest in Sugano highlights their commitment to strengthening their roster and addressing pitching needs, especially in light of Burnes’ uncertain future with the team. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Sugano's skills translate to MLB and how he will adapt to the different challenges presented in the American league.
Sugano's addition is not just a boost for the Orioles' pitching lineup but also brings a thrilling new dynamic to the MLB as another star from NPB makes his mark in America. The blend of his international experience and the Orioles’ current roster ambitions could prove to be a winning combination in the unfolding season.