Tomoyuki Sugano is making a future Orioles decision easy

On May 9, the Baltimore Orioles began a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Orioles right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano turned in another solid performance, pitching deep into the eighth inning. It's the longest outing of any Orioles starter this season, and it played a key role in ending the Birds’ five-game losing streak. Sugano struck out five batters and kept the Angels’ hitters off-balance with his assortment of splitters and sweepers.

Sugano was one of Japan’s leading hurlers for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. He won the Sawamura Award –Japan’s version of the Cy Young Award—twice, captured Central League MVP three times, and appeared in the All-Star Game eight times.

During the 2020-21 season, Yomiuri posted Sugano through the NPB posting system. Under the posting rules, all 30 MLB teams have 45 days to negotiate with a player after he is posted. If no agreement is reached, the player returns to the NPB club for the coming season. Since Sugano did not finalize a deal, he returned to the Giants.

Tomoyuki Sugano pitching his way to second Orioles contract

Upon his return to the Giants, Sugano became an international free agent and was not subject to the NPB rules because he had more than nine years of professional baseball experience. On December 16, 2024, the Orioles signed Sugano to a one-year, $13 million contract. If the righty's first eight starts are any indication, the Orioles may have found a diamond in the rough.

In 46 1/3 innings pitched, he has given up only 14 runs for a 2.72 ERA. Sugano is not a power pitcher by major league standards. He relies essentially on keeping hitters off balance. Sugano did not rely on strikeouts in the NPB. He excelled at limiting the number of bases on balls, posting a walk rate of 4.6% in 12 NPB seasons. Sugano continues this pace in the MLB, carrying just eight walks all season entering his start on Thursday.

At 35 years of age, Sugano is considered an MLB rookie. Nevertheless, if he remains healthy, it would be an indictment of the Orioles’ front office if they did not extend Sugano’s contract.

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