Tsutsugo Flexing Muscles in Pirates Uniform, Earning Playing Time

So far, Yoshi Tsutsugo has been one of the best Pirates pick-ups of the season, hitting five home runs, including a walk-off home run yesterday. We look at what has made him more successful and how he is earning his way into next season's plans.

If there is one thing the Pittsburgh Pirates have been lacking this season, it is a true power threat. Bryan Reynolds has emerged with 21 home runs this season setting a career-high, but there is no one in the lineup that when they come to the plate they strike fear into their opponents. The closest thing they have to that is still in the Minor Leagues in the form of Mason Martin, who has struggled mightily as of late. So, when the Pirates had two on and one out in the ninth inning while being down 3-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday, no one was really getting their hopes up. However, stepping to the plate was a guy who in 12 games with the Pirates had four home runs and was hitting over .300 in his first 26 at-bats.

That guy's name is Yoshi Tsutsugo, and the Pirates are the third team he has been a member of this season. After starting the year with Tampa Bay, Tsutsugo was DFA'd and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. He performed poorly in LA and was outright released and left looking for a new team. On August 16th, the Pirates came calling and gave Tsutsugo the next opportunity in the Major Leagues. He has taken the job and run with it, hitting .333 with five home runs, 11 RBI, and eight total extra-base hits. So, fans started to feel a bit better when that same Tsutsugo came to the plate in the big situation. He didn't disappoint, launching his fifth Pirates home run over the right-field seats to give the Pirates a 4-3 victory and a series sweep. Today, we look at Tsutsugo's success so far this season and how he is starting to play himself into the team's 2022 plans.

Power Showing Through Early

Since coming over from Japan, one thing that Yoshi Tsutsugo has been searching for is his power stroke. In his 10 seasons in Japanese baseball, Tsutsugo regularly hit 20+ home runs, and it was this power stroke that the Rays loved when they signed him. However, prior to joining the Pirates, he had just eight career home runs, all of which coming during the COVID 2020 season. In his first two appearances with both the Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tsutsugo hadn't had nearly as much success, not hitting a home run at all this season. However, in just 13 games with the Pirates, Tsutsugo already has five home runs and has compiled eight total extra-base hits. 

One of the keys to his success so far has been the change of approach at the plate. Just earlier this season, Tsutsugo was averaging just over four pitches per at-bat and was striking out at an alarming 37.9% clip. However, with the Pirates Tsutsugo is taking a much faster approach to his at-bats and it is paying off. He has dropped his pitches per at-bat rate down to 3.5 and has cut his strikeout rate in the early going with the Pirates to a much better 18.5%. Because he is making more consistent contact, some of that raw power is starting to come through, leading to more extra-base hits, and more opportunities to drive in runs.

The big question mark as to whether or not Tsutsugo would find consistent playing time was whether or not he could handle the defensive side of the ball. He was known for his poor defensive play and was used mostly as a DH for the Rays. Some of his defensive struggles have started to show through with the Pirates, especially when he starts in the outfield. PNC Park's left field is way too vast for Tsutsugo, but with the release of Gregory Polanco, it opened up a spot for him in right field. However, he is a below-average fielder at best and could pose a risk for the Pirates playing him in the outfield every day. The bat has been exciting to watch, but the defense has to improve if Tsutsugo wants to be able to stick on an NL Ball Club.

Possible Pirates Future

Overall, Tsutsugo has impressed in a Pirates uniform and has brought into question what his future might be in Pittsburgh. He is 29-years-old, which is on the older size in relation to the Pirates roster and is due to be a free agent after the season. When he was initially signed, I thought he would be no more than a placeholder for the Pirates the rest of the way. However, with five home runs and eight extra-base hits in his first 14 games as a Pirate, he is starting to change my tune. However, the question does come into play again, where do you play him in the field where he won't be a big liability. That answer may lie in the new CBA that is being negotiated and has to be agreed upon by December.

There are rumors that the Designated Hitter is coming to the National League next year, and if this is true Tsutsugo would be a perfect candidate. He has shown some pop in his bat, and this would let him focus solely on his hitting, rather than having to go out and make plays in the field. Tsutsugo would right now be the best DH option on the Pirates and he should come as a pretty affordable free agent this off-season. If the DH does not come to the National League next season, then you start to question where he would play. Leftfield at PNC Park would be a nightmare for him, and he isn't the nimblest of outfielders. If the Pirates were to trade Colin Moran, which I'm highly against, you could slip Tsutsugo into first base, but that isn't very likely.

Overall, if Tsutsugo continues to hit the ball consistently through the month of September, I think he is at least worth giving a look too. The Pirates don't have a lot of power on this team aside from Bryan Reynolds and Colin Moran, and Tsutsugo would give the Pirates a third power threat to worry about. He seems to love that short porch in right field, and can pepper balls over that wall all through the 2022 season. However, the question is whether or not Tsutsugo can consistently hit the ball enough to start every day. Despite his strong start with the Pirates, he is only hitting .192 on the season. Time will tell how Tsutsugo's story will play out in Pittsburgh, but he is hoping it is one that has a happy ending.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (48-84) wrap up their short two-game series with the Chicago White Sox (77-56) tonight at 8:10 pm. Max Kranick (1-2, 7.20) gets the call for the Pirates against Carlos Rodòn (10-5, 2.43) for the White Sox. You can watch the game live on AT&T Sportsnet or listen on 93.7 The Fan.