Breaking: Orioles Sign Free Agent Japanese Starting Pitcher

One of the biggest pitching names on the market this winter is undoubtedly Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki. And the Baltimore Orioles are a team that desperately needs to add to their rotation with the potential loss of Corbin Burnes in free agency.

But for now, the Orioles have looked to Sasaki's countrymate, right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, signing him to a one-year, $13 million contract.

菅野智之投手、オリオールズへようこそ！

Welcome to the O’s, Tomoyuki! pic.twitter.com/MghW5OIpIF
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) December 17, 2024

Unlike Sasaki, Sugano is closer to the back end of his career, at age 35. But he comes to the majors after putting up one of the best performances of any pitcher in Japanese baseball this year. He posted a 1.67 ERA with impeccable control, sporting a 111:16 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 156.2 innings.

Tomoyuki Sugano, 94 mph two-seamer

He’s found the fountain of youthpic.twitter.com/V1lqfpm83J
— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) April 4, 2024

Over 12 seasons in the Nippon League, he has tremendous stats, with a 136-74 mark, a 2.43 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He doesn't put up big strikeout numbers, averaging 7.7 K/9, but he also simply doesn't walk many, with just 1.7 BB/9.

Without devastating velocity, Sugano draws his success by throwing six different pitches -- a four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, slider, curveball and splitter.

The Orioles have also added outfielder Tyler O'Neill and veteran catcher Gary Sanchez this offseason, but they're still trying to do more around the pitching staff.