Hello! I’m Evyn. こんにちは！エヴィンです。
The 2020 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers just added another player to their roster in outfielder Yoshitomo “Yoshi” Tsutsugo. Tsutsugo was recently released from the Tampa Bay Rays after failing to find success in his 77 games with the Florida ball club. A former Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB – 日本のプロ野球) star, Tsutsugo looks to make his name in Los Angeles.
The Japanese (日本人) native is looking to find some of the same star-like success that he found in 日本のプロ野球 in Japan (日本). Tsutsugo was with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars of the Central League (セントラル・リーグ) dating back to 2010, where he was a member of their farm team (Shonan SeaRex) before moving on to 日本のプロ野球 with the Baystars later that year.
Who is Yoshi Tsutsugo? (筒香嘉智は誰ですか)
Tsutsugo was born in Nov. 1992 in Hashimoto, Japan, a city nestled in the middle of the country’s Wakayama Prefecture, about an hour southeast of Osaka city. The prefecture is located within the Kansai Region of 日本 main island, Honshu.
He started his baseball career at a young age, playing for his hometown Wakayama Mets in the second grade. Baseball was the right choice for Tsutsugo, as he continued on to find success in the sport, not just professionally but at an amateur level as well. As part of the Sakai Big Boys club in middle school, Yoshi was a power hitter, helping his team reach a national tournament.
Once Tsutsugo reached high school age, he opted to play for Yokohama High School in the Kanagawa prefecture instead of a Kansai region team. This move might have helped him however, as he ended being drafted in the first round in 2010 by the Baystars located in the same city.
Tsutsugo’s 日本のプロ野球 Success
He made his debut at the age of 18, but found minimal success in his first few years. In 2014, Yoshi really started to find his stride, becoming a regular on the team. Due to his continual success, Tsutsugo was named to his first 日本のプロ野球 all star game in 2015, and was subsequently named to four more all star appearances.
According to Sankei Sports, a daily Japanese sports publication, Tsutsugo became the youngest player in team history, and third youngest player in 日本のプロ野球 history to reach 100 career homeruns in as few games as possible.
During his 10-year tenure in 日本のプロ野球 with Yokohama, Tsutsugo hit .285 with 205 home runs and 613 RBIs. The 日本人 outfielder appeared in five all star games and was awarded the セントラル・リーグ “Best of Nine” award three times. It was his success in 日本 that landed him in the MLB.
In 2020, the Rays picked up Tsutsugo after he asked to be traded from the Baystars. However, in his 77 games with the Rays, Tsutsugo had a measly batting average of .187, with eight home runs and 29 RBIs. Yoshi Tsutsugo joined the Dodgers this past Saturday, May 16 (5月16日) after the Rays dropped him due to his poor batting form.
Tsutsugo’s MLB Future
Regardless of his performance in Tampa Bay, Tsutsugo was off to a good start in Los Angeles. The former Yokohama Baystar knocked in his first RBI with the Dodgers during his debut after a single to left field brought Max Muncy home.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts definitely has some confidence in playing Yoshi. For the second night in a row, Tsutsugo has found himself in the starting lineup, along with new Dodger acquisition and future hall of famer, Albert Pujols.
There’s still hope for Tsutsugo in Los Angeles. If there’s a team in the MLB that gives players on the roster a chance to play it’s the Dodgers. With the opportunity in hand, Yoshi will have the chance to reclaim what was lost and what made him a star in 日本のプロ野球.
When asked in 2010 where he expects to be in 10 years, Tsutsugo told Sports Times Japan that he thinks “the results will change depending on whether I work hard or not, so I want to be a player who thinks ‘I’m glad I worked hard at that time in 10 years.'”
Looking at Tsutsugo’s 日本のプロ野球 success, it’s obvious that he put in work to be able to look back and be happy with his expectations. That same attitude will no doubt allow him to find success in the MLB.
English – Japanese Terms:
- Hello – こんにちは
- I’m Evyn – エヴィンです
- Japan – 日本
- Tokyo – 東京
- Month – 月
- Day – 日
- Japanese (In reference to a person)- 日本人
- Central League – セントラル・リーグ
- Pacific League – パシフィック・リーグ
- Japanese/Nippon Professional Baseball – 日本のプロ野球
- Tokyo Yakult Swallows – 東京ヤクルトスワローズ
*I’m no expert in the Japanese language, in fact I’m barely a beginner. I try my best with what I know and with what I can look up. I might make language errors, but it’s all part of the learning process for me as I try to incorporate Japanese into SITB’s articles.
*Stats (some or all) from: MLB/Statcast, Baseball-Reference/Stathead, ESPN, NPB.
**Stats are accurate as of published date.
***Step Into The Box makes every effort to be as accurate as possible. Grammar, spelling and other style errors will be automatically fixed. If a more serious, factual error is unfortunately made, an edit will be added the end of the piece.
