Everything you need to know about the Orioles' newest star pitcher

It’s no secret that the Baltimore Orioles have been looking to improve their starting rotation. They’ve been connected to virtually all of the big name starters that are either free agents or rumored to be available in trades. While they may not be done looking for a starter, they did take a big step in the right direction when they signed Japanese star Tomoyuki Sugano.

By now, you’ve probably heard the main selling points about Sugano. He’s a three time MVP, two time Eiji Sawamura award winner (equivalent to the Cy Young), eight time all-star, and three time gold glove winner. He’s coming off a season in which he had a 15-3 record with a 1.67 ERA in 156.2 innings with only 16 walks.

Now, let’s look a little deeper into Sugano’s career. Last season was an incredible one for Sugano but it wasn’t even his best. He went 17-5 in 2017, the year he won his first Eiji Sawamura award, while posting a 1.59 ERA with 171 strikeouts in 187.1 innings. He’s had a sub 2.00 ERA four times and has a career ERA of 2.45 in 1,873.1 innings. That would be 37th best in MLB history. 

The Orioles may have just found their next Rookie of the Year candidate

Sugano has the ability to pitch deep into games, something that you don’t see often today. He has 42 career complete games, 22 of which were shutouts. MLB's active leader in complete games is Justin Verlander with 26, and it has taken him seven more years and 245 more games than Sugano to get there. MLB's active leader in shutouts is Clayton Kershaw with 15, and it has taken him five more years and 151 more games than Sugano. 

Maybe the biggest objection to signing Sugano is his age, as he'll be 35 next season. It's worth noting that Chris Sale, the reigning NL Cy Young and triple crown winner, was 35 this past season. Sugano also does not rely on velocity to overpower opposing hitters like many younger pitcher do. He uses precision control to get his swings and misses and draw weak contact. His elite control and variety of pitches allows Sugano to throw any of his pitches in any count.

Sugano keeps hitters on their toes with a six-pitch mix, using most of his pitches almost equally. He throws a 4-seam fastball (26% usage), cutter (20% usage), slider (20% usage), splitter (17% usage), sinker (9% usage) and curveball (8% usage). His fastball tops out at 92mph and the curveball tops out at 77mph. The other pitches vary in speed between those two. 

Sugano is the Japanese Greg Maddux, and his numbers prove it. His career marks are better than Maddux’s in ERA, WHIP, H/9, BB/9 and K/9. Let’s be clear, I am not saying Sugano is Greg Maddux. I am saying that he is a similar style of pitcher to Maddux, who by the way, pitched until he was 42. Both are relatively soft throwers with precise control and a large pitch mix who also play great defense. Hopefully Sugano’s numbers will translate to MLB.

The best part about this contract is that there’s virtually no downside. If he flops, the O’s DFA him and move on. If he succeeds they look like geniuses. The contract also doesn’t prevent them from adding an ace to the roster via free agency or trade. It may also give Roki Sasaki some incentive to sign with the Birds. Having a fellow countryman who speaks your language to talk to while having the shared experience of transitioning to MLB is great. It’s even better when it’s a guy like Sugano that Sasaki has likely looked up to. 

Sugano is not the prototypical ace pitcher in today’s game but he has had ace-level success. If the season started today he would likely be the Orioles #3 starter behind Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin. But keep an eye on this guy who could come in and prove to be a top tier pitcher with Rookie of the Year potential.