Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano explains his decision to join Orioles and what he expects

Tomoyuki Sugano, the 35-year-old Japanese right-hander who signed with the Orioles on Monday, appeared on a video conference call on Thursday night, which was early Friday morning in Japan.

Sugano, who signed a one-year, $13 million contract, had a 136-75 record with a 2.45 ERA in 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants. Shawn Novak, one of his agents, interpreted for him.

Question: Why did you pick the Orioles and what are your impressions of Baltimore?

Tomoyuki Sugano: “It’s really the great pitching staff, the pitching development, a great team. Also, that they’re contending for a World Series and have an opportunity to win a World Series immediately. Those were the biggest factors for me in choosing the Orioles. I was there on Monday and thought it was an incredible city. I loved the feel of it. I ate at the restaurant called The Charleston with incredible food. And I heard the soft shell crab there is incredible in the summer, so I’m really looking forward to going back and chowing down on soft shell crab.”

Q: The Orioles haven’t had many Japanese players, and the area has a small Japanese population. Did that trouble you?

Sugano: “Not at all. That wasn’t in my mind at all. I’m coming to the States to win, to pitch, and that’s all I’m thinking about is baseball. And the Orioles are a great organization and have a chance to win the World Series, and that’s my focus.”

Q: You were posted before in 2020 and you ended up going back to Japan. What did you learn from the process? (Editor’s note: Japanese players who don’t have the requisite nine years of professional experience to gain international free agency can request to be “posted” for major league clubs.)

Sugano: “Just a completely different process from 2020. One, it was a posting system compared to now it’s free agency. There’s also Covid going on then. We had a great free-agency process this time around. It was completely different. Just excited to be an Oriole and compete.”

Q: What do you know about pitcher Roki Sasaki? Have you been following his free agency?

Sasaki: “I haven’t talked to him before, so I have no idea of what he’s looking for and what his interests are?”

Q: What it a difficult decision to leave Japan?

Sugano: “It’s not a difficult decision at all. I had a great career in Japan … felt like I did all I could there. It’s always been a dream of mine to come play in the States and in MLB, and I’m very excited to take this path.”

Q: What are your memories of competing in the World Baseball Classic, especially against the U.S. team? How excited are you about going up against major leaguers?

Sugano: “First, I’ve always wanted to play in the States, pitch in the States and having the opportunity to pitch in Dodger Stadium in the 2017 WBC against the American team was a dream come true, and it really solidified my feelings of wanting to pitch in the big leagues one day.

“Not really, there’s [not] any particular hitter that I’m per se looking forward to face, but I’m looking forward to compete, looking forward to working with Adley Rutschman, a fantastic catcher. I’m really looking forward to communicating with him, working hard with him and having a lot of success.”

Q: You’ve been known in Japan more for your control than your power. How has your style allowed you to be so successful for so long in Japan, and what will translate well when you come to the big leagues?

Sugano: “I’m obviously not a guy who throws 100 mph, but I’m very confident in my control, command, pitch mix. That’s why I’ve had a lot of success in Japan, and I’m not looking to really change anything now. I want to use my pitch selection, my pitch mix, my command to pitch in the States and see where it takes me from there.”

Q: What changes have the Orioles suggested you make?

Sugano: “Talked a lot about my pitch selection, pitch mix, pitch values, how certain pitches may be more effective in certain parts of the zone against certain hitters when I come to the States, testing out possibly different pitches when i come to the States, how I can be more effective with the ones I have now. Just a variety of topics there, and also the difference in strike zone between MLB and [Japan] and how that may change and be more effective for me when I get to the States. So, talked about a lot, but there’s a ton more to talk about, and I’m very excited to get going and talk more pitching with the front office and the coaches.”

Q: Did you go to Camden Yards?

Sugano: “Didn’t have a chance to go in the stadium on my trip. Was a short trip, but I did get to see the [outside] of it and thought it was beautiful, and I can’t wait to stand on the mound there.”

Q: What do you think about the left-field wall being moved in?

Sugano: “I’m aware that the left field was brought in. I’m a big groundball pitcher, so I’m not really fazed by that at all and just know that I need to get more ground balls behind a great defense.”

Q: Are you looking forward to pitching in the American League East?

Sugano: “I’m very excited to play in such a competitive division against great teams, great franchise and great history. I’ve also played for a great franchise with a huge history, and successful history, with the Tokyo Giants, so it’s a great fit for me. I’m really looking forward to competing in that division and in the league in general.”

Note: Baltimore native Bruce Zimmermann, who appeared in 38 games with the Orioles from 2020-2023 and started the 2022 home opener, signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent the 2024 season with Triple-A Norfolk.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.