The Orioles have signed right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year deal, adding depth to their rotation after a playoff run last year.
Baltimore: The Orioles are making some moves this offseason, and they just signed Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year, $13 million contract. This guy is 35 and has been a star in Japan, posting a crazy 1.67 ERA last season. Not too shabby, right?
Sugano has been a big deal in Japanese baseball, racking up a solid record over his career. He’s got a 136-75 win-loss record and has won some major awards, including the Eiji Sawamura Award, which is like the Cy Young in Japan. So, he knows how to pitch.
Now, he’s not just a thrower; he’s got great command. He rarely walks batters and has a nice mix of pitches, including a fastball, sinker, cutter, slider, and curveball. He really knows how to place his pitches, which is a big plus.
But there are some concerns. He doesn’t strike out a ton of batters, which can be a bummer for fantasy players. His fastball isn’t the fastest either, averaging around 92 mph. So, while he’s effective, he’s not going to blow hitters away.
He’s faced MLB hitters before, back in 2017, and did pretty well. He was a key player for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, so he’s got some experience against top talent.
As for where he fits in the Orioles’ rotation, he might not be the ace, but he’ll likely be a solid third or fourth starter. The team is making some changes to their field, but Sugano’s ground ball rate should help him adjust just fine.
If you’re into fantasy baseball, Sugano could be a good pick, but maybe not your first choice. He’s got a solid track record, and with the Orioles’ young lineup, he should have plenty of chances to rack up wins. Just keep an eye on him and see how he fits into your strategy.