Tomoyuki Sugano: Stats and Impact on the Chiba Lotte Marines
Early Life and Baseball Career
Tomoyuki Sugano was born on October 11, 1989, in Saitama, Japan. He began playing baseball at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks of youth baseball in Japan. In 2007, he was selected to the Japanese national junior team and helped lead the team to a silver medal at the World Junior Baseball Championship.
Sugano's professional baseball career began in 2008 when he joined the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He quickly established himself as one of the top pitchers in Japan, winning the Pacific League Rookie of the Year Award in 2009 and leading the league in strikeouts in 2010.
Dominant Pitching Performances
Sugano's dominance on the mound continued throughout his career with the Marines. He won at least 10 games in each of his first six seasons in the NPB, and he led the league in strikeouts four times during that span. In 2017, he set a new NPB record for strikeouts in a single season with 249.
In addition to his impressive strikeout totals, Sugano was also known for his excellent control and command of his pitches. He consistently ranked among the league leaders in walks allowed per nine innings pitched, and he rarely surrendered home runs.
International Success
Sugano's success in Japan earned him a spot on the Japanese national baseball team for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He pitched in three games for Japan, including the championship game, and helped the team win the gold medal.
Sugano also represented Japan in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He once again pitched in three games for Japan, and he helped the team win the silver medal.
MLB Career
After a successful career in Japan, Sugano signed a four-year, $92 million contract with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2021. He made his MLB debut on April 1, 2021, and he has since become a key member of the Cubs' starting rotation.
Sugano has continued to pitch effectively in the MLB, and he has helped the Cubs improve their win-loss record since his arrival. He is a valuable asset to the Cubs, and he is expected to continue to be a key part of their rotation for years to come.
