Get to Know #2: Japanese Signee Tomoyuki Sugano

Rōki Sasaki was the big name. It was all Sasaki. No one even noticed, when the Orioles signed a 35 year old pitcher out of Japan, who had a 1.67 ERA. Tomoyuki Sugano just got his first MLB win tossing 5.1 innings, striking out 4, and giving up only 1 run, while propelling the Orioles to an 8-1 victory over the Royals for their 4th win of the season. His fastball topped out at 94.8 MPH. Here’s the scouting report on him.

TOMOYUKI SUGANO:

Full name: Tomoyuki Sugano

Pronunciation: Toh-moh-yoo-kee Soo-gah-no

Age: 35 yrs, 177 days

Born: October 11, 1989

Position: RHP

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

Height: 6’1

Weight: 198 lbs

School: Tokai University, Japan

CONTRACT:

Years: 1

Money: $13 million

WHEN DID HE SIGN:

December 16th, 2024

USAGE OF PITCHES IN THE NPB:

4-seam fastball -- 26% usage / 92 mph

Cutter -- 20% usage / 87 mph

Slider -- 20% usage / 82 mph

Splitter -- 17% usage / 86 mph

Sinker -- 9% usage / 91 mph

Curveball – 8% usage / 77 mph

AWARDS IN JAPAN:

Two Sawamura Awards (NPB's equivalent of the Cy Young) 

Two league MVP awards

Eight All-Star seasons

A pitching Triple Crown 

Four league ERA titles

Two league strikeout titles

PAST INJURIES:

2025: Cramps

2023: Elbow injury

2021: Elbow injury

2019: Back issue

2014: Ligament damage

2005: Shoulder injury

FORMER TEAM IN JAPAN:

Yomiuri Giants

Thanks for reading!