Tomoyuki Sugano Set to Join MLB as Free Agent

Tomoyuki Sugano, a renowned Japanese pitcher, is set to join Major League Baseball (MLB) as an international free agent this winter after a successful career with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Sugano, who turns 35 soon, is not subject to the usual posting fees due to his extensive 12-year career in Japan. He has an impressive record, including two Sawamura Awards, two Central League MVP titles, and a 1.67 ERA in his latest season. Sugano previously attempted to join MLB in 2020 but did not secure a contract. His six-pitch arsenal, including a fastball, slider, and splitter, is expected to attract significant interest from MLB teams. This move follows the successful transitions of other Japanese pitchers, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga, to MLB.