"Japanese version of Clayton Kershaw" - NPB analyst offers insight on Orioles' 35-year-old $13,000,000 acquisition

Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano has signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. NPB analyst Yuri Karasawa has likened him to veteran ace Clayton Kershaw.

The 35-year-old Japanese RHP was posted to the MLB for the second time in his career this year and will be a rare breed of veteran pitcher from the NPB. On the Banner Baseball Show, Karasawa gave some insights into what to expect from Sugano next year with the Orioles:

"I like to compare him to like a Japanese version of Clayton Kershaw, just in terms of the resume, because this is a highly touted prospect coming out of college. He wins the MVP in his second season, he goes on to win two more MVPs, two Sawamura awards, which is basically the Cy Young equivalent in Japan.

"He knows how to pitch, he's a master sequencer. He just paints the corners, he has great command. So, a lot like Kershaw even as he ages, even as his stuff gets worse, This is a guy who has still been very effective. ... He's been able to introduce more cutters and sinkers to keep guys off that four-seam. The slider and the cutter tunnel especially well against righties, a lot of curve balls against lefties. I still think the slider and the splitter are his two best pitches."

Tomoyuki Sugano started his NPB career with the Yomiuri Giants in 2013 and became one of the best pitchers in the country. He has won almost every individual award in the NPB possible for a pitcher.

Sugano was posted to the MLB market in 2020 but didn't join any team and returned to the Giants in the NPB. Now, at 35, he's a different player in the twilight of his career. Given his likeness to Clayton Kershaw in resume and playing style, Tomoyuki Sugano could be an exciting and low risk addition for the Baltimore Orioles.

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Orioles analyst expects great things from Tomoyuki Sugano in the MLB

Having dominated the NPB for over a decade, Tomoyuki Sugano is a pitching legend in Japan. He has now made the move to the MLB at age 35. Analyst Ben Palmer believes he ccould be a good addition for the Baltimore Orioles:

"Now, obviously NPB stats don’t necessarily predict how a guy is going to pitch in the U.S., but the fact that Sugano posted such ridiculous numbers last year is at least encouraging, even if he does regress."

While some of Sugano's attributes may be on the decline, the Japanese ace is known for his impeccable command from the mound. Moreover, he has changed his game with age to remain competitive in the biggest stage.