Baltimore Orioles Sign Veteran Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano
The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant move in their quest for postseason success by signing veteran Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year contract worth $13 million. The 35-year-old brings a wealth of experience and a stellar track record from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), where he has been a dominant force for the Yomiuri Giants over the past 12 seasons.
Sugano’s Impressive Record
Throughout his career in NPB, Sugano has amassed nearly 300 professional appearances, boasting a remarkable career 2.45 ERA. Known for his precision and control, Sugano has maintained a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.53. In his most recent season in 2024, he delivered an outstanding performance with a 1.67 ERA, 111 strikeouts, and just 16 unintentional walks over 156 2/3 innings. His ability to keep hitters off balance and command the strike zone has been a cornerstone of his success.
Sugano’s achievements in NPB are numerous. He has been selected to eight All-Star Games and has twice been named the league's MVP. Additionally, he has received two Eiji Sawamura Awards, Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award, underscoring his status as one of the top pitchers in Japanese baseball history.
Transition to Major League Baseball
The decision to join the Orioles marks Sugano’s long-considered transition to Major League Baseball. He previously contemplated making the move before the 2021 season. Now, as he embarks on this new chapter in his career, the Orioles are hopeful that his experience and skills will provide a critical boost to their pitching rotation.
Sugano is expected to fill the void left by the Orioles' ace, Corbin Burnes, who is currently testing the free-agent market. With Burnes' future with the team uncertain, Sugano’s arrival is timely and strategic.
The Orioles’ Recent History and Aspiration
The Orioles have appeared in the postseason in each of the last two years, yet they have faced challenges advancing beyond the opening round. By acquiring Sugano, the team is making a clear statement of intent to strengthen their roster and deepen their playoff run in the upcoming season.
A Pitcher with Deceptive Arsenal
Sugano’s pitching arsenal features a fastball in the low-90s range, complemented by a deceptive splitter that has confounded hitters throughout his career. While his strikeout rate from the past season was a modest 6.4 per nine innings, his ability to induce weak contact and manage games effectively remains his forte.
The Orioles and their fans will be eagerly watching how Sugano adapts to the rigors and dynamics of Major League play. While the transition from NPB to MLB presents a new challenge, Sugano's illustrious career in Japan provides a solid foundation for success.
With his arrival, the Orioles are set to benefit from Sugano’s experience and leadership both on and off the mound. This strategic addition could be pivotal in their ambition to secure a deeper postseason run and cement their status as serious contenders in Major League Baseball.