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Tomoyuki Sugano 2025 Outlook: Unheralded Import Offers More Upside Than You Think
7 mins agoTomoyuki Sugano is a 35-year-old Japanese legend with three MVPs and two Sawamura Awards (Cy Young), and he'll bring his 80-grade command to North America. Most project him as a backend starter at this career stage, usually citing a bad fastball and a 1.67 ERA that far outclassed his 2.81 SIERA in 156 ⅔ IP last season. His fastball's 4.6% SwStr% and 80 Stuff+ were lackluster last year in Japan, but his other five pitches all had Stuff+ ratings of 110 or better. His cutter's 6.7% SwStr% belies a 32.1% CSW%, indicating it excels at freezing hitters for called strikes. His splitter was still a huge strikeout weapon with a 20.1% SwStr%, and its 67.6% GB% was impressive. Sugano's slider had a 34.1% CSW% and 13.4% SwStr% thanks to its exceptional 118 Location+, and his sinker sported a 30.2% CSW% and 57.9% GB%. Finally, his curve generated a 69% GB%. MLB's 22.6% K% is higher than Japan's 18.5%, so Sugano's strikeout numbers should tick upward from his 18.3% K% last season. He'll also pitch for a contending club in Baltimore, giving Sugano impressive upside at his ADP of 475.98.
