When Tomoyuki Sugano pitched for Japan in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic against the United States, it was a great preview of what the major leagues might feel like.
“Having the opportunity to pitch at Dodger Stadium in the 2017 WBC against the American team was a dream come true,” he said through a translator. “That really solidified (my) feelings of wanting to pitch in the big leagues one day.”
Now Sugano is heading to the major leagues, but he will be joining a team on the opposite side of the country from Dodger Stadium. He has reached a $13 million, one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
At 35 years old, Sugano will be eight years removed from that WBC game when next season starts. While his achievements in Japan are impressive, the question remains whether he can achieve similar results in the U.S.
Although Japan lost 2-1 in that WBC game in Los Angeles, Sugano gave up just one unearned run and three hits in six innings against a strong lineup, which included Christian Yelich, Nolan Arenado, Andrew McCutchen, Buster Posey, and Giancarlo Stanton. Also pitching that night for Japan was Kodai Senga, who has since found success with the New York Mets.
Some might think Sugano is past his prime, but he just had a third MVP season in Japan’s Central League. Last season, he went 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA for the Yomiuri Giants, walking only 16 batters in 156 2/3 innings.
“Obviously not a guy that throws 100 miles per hour, but (I’m) very confident in (my) control, command, (my) pitch mix,” he said. “That’s why (I’ve) had a lot of success in Japan. (I’m) not looking to really change anything now. (I want) to use (my) pitch selection, (my) pitch mix, (my) command, to pitch in the States and see where it takes (me).”
Sugano was posted by the Giants after the 2020 season and available for MLB teams to bid on, but he did not reach an agreement at that time. This time, he was a free agent.
If Orioles fans hoped Sugano might come with Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitcher who can sign with MLB teams between Jan. 15-23, there’s no indication of that happening.
“I haven’t talked to him before, so I have no idea what he’s looking for and what his interests are,” Sugano said.
Sugano’s age may be one reason why his availability didn’t cause as much excitement as Sasaki’s, but he wasn’t completely unnoticed. San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin spoke about Sugano at the winter meetings last week.
“Look, he’s a fit for anybody’s bullpen, so we’ll see where things go,” Melvin said. “We have discussions about everybody, but, I mean, you see the success that the Japanese players have now and how instrumental they are in the big leagues, it seems like with every team now.
There’s no doubt he’s going to have some success. We’ll see where he goes. He’ll help any team that has the opportunity to sign him.”
It’s still unclear how Sugano will fit in with the Orioles. He was mostly a starter for his 12 years in Japan, and Baltimore’s rotation may need help with Corbin Burnes’ free agency and the fact that Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells are recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Sugano said he was attracted to the Orioles because they have a chance to win a World Series soon. Baltimore won the AL East in 2023 and made the wild card this year.
Sugano also said he’s excited to work with All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman in Baltimore. And he’s not worried about the fact that the left-field wall at Camden Yards will be a little closer next season.
“(I’m) a big groundball pitcher,” he said, “so not really fazed by that at all.”
