Another Japanese veteran will be making his MLB debut on Friday, this time Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, better known as Yoshi. He signed for just two years, which will make him a free agent again right around his 31st birthday. Tsutsugo is a power bat, hitting 45 home runs in 2016 and 38 in 2018, while hitting for .284 or better five consecutive seasons until dipping to .272 in 2019.
He is a true left fielder, and could see plenty of time as DH once the Rays get their outfield healthy. He is listed at 6’1” and 225 lbs., but he is probably a bit heavier than that. He has yet to find his swing with the Rays after just one home run in 12 Spring Training games, but the bat stays in the zone a long time, allowing him to barrel up the ball quite often.
He is not a traditional Japanese bat who is focused on spraying the ball all over the field, instead his approach will fit in very will to MLB as he is a pull hitting, launch angle, power bat. The average will likely be an issue in MLB, and there will be plenty of strike outs, but he will provide plenty of home runs in a very good Rays lineup.
THREE QUARTER SLOT 