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.
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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