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What about Tomoyuki Sugano for 2025?


MemorialStadKid

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LINK: https://www.mlb.com/news/tomoyuki-sugano-to-be-mlb-free-agent-in-2025

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The veteran right-hander, who turns 35 on Oct. 11, has been one of the best pitchers in Japan over his 12-season career in NPB. And after an injury-plagued season in 2023, Sugano is having a resurgent season for the Giants in 2024.

 

Sugano is 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 24 starts this season, leading the league in wins and ranking second in ERA. He's also led the Giants back to the playoffs -- Yomiuri finished in first place in the Central League, with the NPB postseason set to begin next weekend.

 

Even in his mid-30s, Sugano still has solid stuff, and a diverse pitch arsenal. He throws both a four-seamer and sinker, with his fastball averaging around 92 mph, as well as a low-80s slider, high-80s cutter, high-70s curveball and the wipeout, upper-80s splitter that is a signature of many Japanese aces.

MSK

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The lack of velocity will be issue I think in majors at his age but the secondary pitches must be very good.  It is interesting that in Japan the splitter is like the cutter/sweeper is in MLB.  It seems Asian league goes more for the up and down movement while MLB pitching strategy is the lateral movement of pitches.  

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43 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Plenty of starters are available this offseason that we don’t have to trade for.

I am just glad we didn’t trade for Cease.  He has now made 2 starts in the post season and has gone  1.3 innings and given up 3 runs and 3 innings given up 5 runs.  So 5 innings and 8 runs allowed in his 2 postseason starts. 

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