Who is Tomoyuki Sugano?

Early Life and Career

Tomoyuki Sugano is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Born on October 11, 1989, in Hanamaki, Iwate, Japan, Sugano began his baseball career at Hanamaki Higashi High School.

In high school, Sugano was a highly regarded pitcher known for his exceptional control and command. He led his team to consecutive national high school baseball championships in 2007 and 2008, earning the nickname "God's Lefty" for his dominance on the mound.

Professional Career

After graduating high school, Sugano was drafted by the Yomiuri Giants in the 2008 NPB Draft. He made his professional debut in 2009 and quickly established himself as one of the top pitchers in Japanese baseball.

Sugano is known for his outstanding pitching repertoire, which includes a fastball that can reach speeds of up to 155 kilometers per hour (96 miles per hour), as well as a devastating slider and changeup.

International Success

In addition to his success at the NPB level, Sugano has also represented Japan on the international stage. He was a member of the Japanese national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic and the 2020 Summer Olympics, helping Japan win the silver medal in both tournaments.