Holding on to U.S. Even in the Minor Leagues — Tsutsuka have No Plans in Returning to Japan Anytime Soon

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, 31, is set to begin his fourth season in the United States.

On January 16 (Japan time), the Rangers announced that they had signed Tsutsuka to a minor league contract. This will be Tsutsuka’s fifth team in the United States.

Tsutsuka will attend the Rangers’ spring training camp in Surprise, Arizona, starting in mid-February as an invited player. The Rangers are reinforcing the outfield, which is Tsutsuka’s main position. If he can appeal to the Rangers, there is a possibility that he will be promoted to the major leagues.

Not at all suited to major league fastballs

Tsutsuka left DeNA for the majors in the off-season of 2019, using the posting system. However, in the three seasons since then, he has failed to hit .197 with 18 home runs and 75 runs batted in, and he has been suspended three times. In fact, many believe that his chances of being promoted is slim.

The Rangers would be happy if Tsutsuka could get used to American baseball in his fourth season and make a breakthrough. However, the current situation is quite difficult. His biggest weakness is that he has not been able to handle the fastballs of the major leaguers.

Ever since he was in Japan, Tsutsuka was a good hitter who was able to change pitches and take advantage of opponents’ lost pitches. His timing was never right, and his strikeout rate in the majors was over 30%. Even if he occasionally gets a good hit, it is easily caught because the opposing team has a special shift to the right side, whereas Tsutsuka has a habit of pulling to the right side. Major league leaders seemed to think that the big Japanese hitter would be able to adjust, but they were disappointed.

The Netizen has been asking, “Why is he playing baseball in the U.S. even if he’s signed to a minor league contract? If he continues like this, it is almost impossible for him to make it to the major leagues. With 205 home runs in his professional career, there are teams that would be interested in acquiring him if he returns to Japan. Why does Tsutsuka insist on playing in the United States?”

Tsutsuka seems determined to cut his teeth in the U.S., even in the minors or independent leagues. Tsutsuka would have a hard time returning to Japan, too, since he announced to DeNA fans on Fan Appreciation Day in the off-season of 2019, “I’m going to try out for the majors! I’m going to try out for the Majors! I can’t stand my reputation.”

In the off-season of 2015, I participated in the Dominican Winter League and got covered in mud in a less than favorable facility. He is accustomed to harsh environments. He may return to Japan in the future, but I think he will struggle in the minors for a while and work his way up to the majors. Tsutsuka is not the type of player to take the easy way out.

Last season in the minors, Tsutsuka had a .301 batting average, seven home runs, and 30 runs batted in in 38 games. I hope that he will awaken this season with a determination to continue his career.