NPB’s Tomoyuki Sugano will generate a TON of buzz this offseason and the Phillies are reportedly interested

Tomoyuki Sugano’s move to Major League Baseball will generate a ton of buzz this winter.

After spending his entire career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Tomoyuki Sugano, a 35-year-old right-hander, is coming off a stellar season with the Yomiuri Giants, where he posted an impressive 1.67 ERA over 24 starts.

A new free agent option in the pitching market is on the board in Tomoyuki Sugano, according to @JeffPassan

The talented right-hander posted a 1.67 ERA last season and struck out 111 batters for the Yomiuri Giants. pic.twitter.com/ZtTCUjGP6C

— Jamie Gatlin (@JamieGatlin17) October 4, 2024

As one of the most accomplished Japanese pitchers of his generation, Sugano brings a wealth of experience and success to the table and his accolades are hard to ignore. Sugano is a two-time winner of the Sawamura Award, which is essentially the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young, alongside two Central League MVP awards and four ERA titles.

Tomoyuki Sugano in the 2017 World Baseball Classic

Tomoyuki Sugano is expected to sign with a #MLB team in free agency per @jeffpassan.⁰⁰How good is he? Here’s him striking out Christian Yelich, Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton and Nolan Arenado x3 in the 2017 WBC Semifinal pic.twitter.com/L8KcSH8Szh

— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) October 5, 2024

Tomoyuki Sugano’s resurgence this season has reignited interest from MLB teams, especially after his near move in 2020 when the Giants posted him but no agreement was reached before the deadline.

This season, Sugano has showcased a well-rounded arsenal, averaging 92 mph on his four-seam fastball while also effectively utilizing a two-seamer, an 82 mph slider, an 87 mph cutter, and an 86 mph splitter, complemented by a looping curveball at 77 mph.

His six-pitch mix has kept hitters guessing, leading to positive run values across all his offerings. Sugano’s command has been exceptional—over 156⅔ innings, he’s walked only 16 batters and surrendered just six home runs, proving that his pitching intelligence more than compensates for any velocity concerns.

With his track record, Sugano is set to join a competitive starting pitching market this winter, which features high-profile names like Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, and Max Fried.

If the Chiba Lotte Marines post Roki Sasaki—another highly touted Japanese talent—the competition for his services will be fierce, likely drawing interest from every MLB team, including our very own Philadelphia Phillies.

Sugano’s health and durability have also been key this season, as he more than doubled his innings pitched from last year, showcasing his readiness for the rigors of MLB.

As he navigates this new chapter, there’s a mix of excitement and intrigue surrounding where he’ll land and how he’ll adapt to the American game.

With several established names in the market and young talent like Sasaki potentially entering, MLB teams will have plenty of options to bolster their rotations. Sugano’s arrival could add another layer of excitement to an already intriguing offseason as teams look to build for 2025 and beyond.

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