Yoshi Tsutsugo Joins Big League Roster for Final Stretch
The Pittsburgh Pirates' first base position has been one that has been on a carousel all season long. Ever since Colin Moran's first stint on the Injured List in late May, we have seen Phillip Evans, Erik Gonzalez, and even Ben Gamel take on the position, but no one was able to stick. Evans is down in the Minor Leagues, Gonzalez has been DFA'd, and Gamel is currently on the Injured List. The Pirates thought they had found something when they claimed John Nogowski off waivers, as he was fast out the gate with a batting average of .345 on July 17th. However, since then he has gone downhill, hitting .094 in August and seeing his average drop to .233 on the season.
It was the beginning of the end for Nogowski, as he was Designated for Assignment to make room for the newest man to try out first base. Yoshi Tsutsugo was part of the World Series runner-up Tampa Bay Rays last season, and now he is coming to Pittsburgh. The Pirates signed him as a Major League free agent yesterday and designated John Nogowski for assignment. It was a move that was coming eventually for Nogowski, even though he was a favorite of mine, he really had no future with the Pirates. Now, the Pirates get another guy who has struggled so far in the Big Leagues but is looking for his big break with the Pirates. Today, we look at the signing and how he fits into the Pirates 2021 team and beyond.
Tsutsugo Goes to Pittsburgh
At 29-years-old, Yoshi Tsutsugo got a late start to his Major League Baseball career, but his pro career started long before that. His professional career began in Japan in 2010, when he was signed to the Samurai Japan. He played 10 seasons over in Japan and was a career .281 hitter with 255 home runs and 795 RBI in over 1,200 games played. However, he wasn't noticed in the Big Leagues until late 2019 when he was signed as an international free agent by the Tampa Bay Rays. After getting out to a decent start, hitting .231 in his first month with a home run and six RBI, things went downhill for Tsutsugo. He did appear in the World Series, but went 0-3 and was eventually traded by the Rays to the Dodgers.
His struggles continued into 2021 as in 38 games so far, he is just hitting .155 with seven RBI. Tsutsugo's big issue in the Major Leagues has been strikeouts, as he hasn't been able to generate any of that power that he showed in Japanese baseball. He has gone down swinging over 37% of the time this season and has a career strikeout rate of 34.3%. For a guy who hit 20 or more home runs in six straight seasons in Japanese baseball, the Rays were expecting him to come over and have similar success in the Big Leagues. However, he hasn't had success against the breaking ball or the off-speed pitch, with Whiff Rates of 30.6% and 31%, and it has really cost him a chance to shine in the Big Leagues.
However, what he does bring with him is versatility being able to play both corner infield positions as well as the corner outfield positions. Manager Derek Shelton loves guys who can play many different positions and Tsutsugo fits that bill. Plus, the Pirates are hoping they can bring some of his power out with the short porch available in right field at PNC Park. In 89 games played at the Big League level, Tsutsugo has eight career home runs. Averaged out over a full 162 game season, he would be on pace to hit 14 home runs in a full season. However, his last MLB home run was on September 19th, 2020, as he had yet to show that power in 2021. The Pirates are looking for a diamond in the rough, and Tsutsugo is looking to be the next guy with a shot to succeed at first base.
Where He Goes From Here
After making his Pirates debut last night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where does Tsutsugo go from here? He started his Pirates career off strong, with a pinch-hit double but exactly how much playing time will he get? Both he and Colin Moran are lefty hitters at first base, so no platoon can be put in place, and Ke'Bryan Hayes has a nice grip over at the hot corner. The only spot where Tsutsugo could earn some more regular playing time is in the outfield. The Pirates outfield has been a roller coaster ride throughout the 2021 season, as the Pirates have been trying to find someone that sticks. Ben Gamel and Hoy Park have both had flashes, but neither has made a dramatic statement that they can be the everyday starter.
While most of his experience has come at first base, he also has a little bit of time logged as an outfielder in his career. He has only ever played in left field, starting this season, but has made all of the plays so far. Overall, he has been a pretty average left fielder, with an Outs Above Average of 0 and a Success Rate Added of 0%. He doesn't have a whole lot of speed, which doesn't bode well at spacious PNC Park, but he usually positions himself well to make most plays. Positioning will be key for Tsutsugo, especially in the outfield, but with opportunities aplenty in Pittsburgh, a solid performance could net him some regular playing time down the stretch.
Overall, I think the signing of Tsutsugo is more of a depth piece addition than anything else. At 29-years-old, and already on his third team this season, it is highly unlikely that he fines any real success. He may get out to a solid start just like Nogowski did, and could earn himself some everyday reps in either the outfield or at first base. Where Nogowski and Tsutsugo differ is that Moran is not hurt for Tustsugo's arrival. When Nogowski came to Pittsburgh, Moran was already hurt, and Nogowski was filling a need at first base. Tsutsugo is going to have to fight harder to earn playing time, but if he can impress and hit the ball hard with some consistency, he has the potential to be a big September bat for the Pirates.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (42-77) continue their three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (77-42) tonight at 10:10 pm. Wil Crowe (3-7, 5.27) takes the hill for the Pirates with a 3.63 ERA over his last seven starts against David Price (4-1, 3.60). You can watch the game live on AT&T Sportsnet or listen on 93.7 The Fan.
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