Sugano explains decision to sign with Orioles and his attraction to "an incredible city"

Tomoyuki Sugano spent one day in Baltimore and already found his favorite restaurant.

It’s important to get certain tasks out of the way. Going through his first spring training in the United States and making his major league debut are next on his plate.

Sugano, 35, signed a $13 million contract with the Orioles on Monday after 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League in Japan. He won the league’s Most Valuable Player award this season after going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA - 29 earned runs in 156 2/3 innings – 0.945 WHIP, 132 hits, 16 walks and 111 strikeouts in 24 starts, including three complete games and one shutout. He surrendered only six home runs.

Known for his impeccable control, Sugano posted a 2.6 percent walk rate and 0.9 walks per nine innings that ranked as the lowest of his career. He led NPB in wins and his ERA was second.

Sugano has gone 136-74 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.031 WHIP and 1,585 strikeouts in 276 career games over 1,857 innings, and he’s a three-time Central League Most Valuable Player, three-time Central League Golden Glove winner, eight-time All-Star and two-time winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award, presented to the top pitcher in NPB.

The Orioles just want him to handle the responsibilities of a starter near or at the back end of the rotation. They don’t care about awards unless he’s hoisting a trophy.

In explaining on a video call this evening why he chose the Orioles, Sugano said via his agent and interpreter, “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.”

The food also made a fast impression.

“I was there on Monday and thought it was an incredible city. I loved the feel of it,” he said.

“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.”

Sugano hasn’t stepped inside Camden Yards. He’ll get around to it.

“Was a short trip,” he said. “I did get to see the outskirts of it and thought it was beautiful and I can't wait to stand on the mound there.”

Sugano can become the third Japanese player to pitch for the Orioles since Koji Uehara and Shintaro Fujinami. The modest Asian community in Baltimore didn’t cause any hesitation. He had no reservations, beyond The Charleston.

“Not at all,” he said. “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.”

The shorter dimensions in left field, which Sugano is aware of, aren’t a concern. Though he pitches to contact, he takes pride in being able to limit the number of fly balls.

“I’m a big ground ball pitcher, so I’m not really fazed by that at all,” he said. “I just know that I need to get more ground balls behind a great defense.”

The Orioles made their sales pitch to Sugano on a video call that included team officials, manager Brandon Hyde and pitching coach Drew French. They talked about more than just his contract.

They began the process of setting him up for success, digging into his repertoire, approach and much more.

“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,” he said.

“Just a variety of topics there, and also the difference in strike zone between MLB and NPB 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.”

Sugano was posted in 2020 but stayed with the Giants and signed a four-year deal, an experience that didn’t replicate his next opportunity.

“Just a completely different process from 2020,” he said. “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.”

The decision to leave home apparently was an easy one for Sugano. He’s always wanted to test himself against major league hitters beyond the World Baseball Classic in 2017.

“I had a great career in Japan,” he said. “I felt like I did all he could there. It’s always been a dream of mine to come play in the States and in MLB, so I’m very excited to take this path.”

Sugano allowed one unearned run and struck out six Team USA batters, including Nolan Arenado three times and Adam Jones once, in the semifinals of the WBC. Japan lost 2-1.

“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,” he said. “And it really solidified my feelings of wanting to pitch in the big leagues one day.”

Japan’s Roki Sasaki is one of the top starters on the free-agent market and he reportedly met today with the Mets. Sugano apparently won’t be recruiting him. They don’t have that kind of relationship.

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