Yoshi Tsutsugo

{{Infobox NPB player

| name = Yoshi Tsutsugo

| image = 20140906 Tsutsugo Yoshitomo, infielder of the Yokohama BayStars, at Yokohama Stadium.JPG

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Tsutsugo with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars

| position = First baseman / Outfielder

| team = Yokohama DeNA BayStars

| number = 25

| bats = Left

| throws = Right

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|11|26}}

| birth_place = Hashimoto, Wakayama, Japan

| debutdate = October 5

| debutyear = 2010

| debutteam = Yokohama BayStars

| debutleague = NPB

| statleague = NPB

| statyear = 2024 season

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .281

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 212

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 636

| debut2league = MLB

| debut2date = July 24

| debut2year = 2020

| debut2team = Tampa Bay Rays

| stat2year = 2022 season

| stat2league = MLB

| stat21label = Batting average

| stat21value = .197

| stat23label = Home runs

| stat23value = 18

| stat24label = Runs batted in

| stat24value = 75

| teams =

Yokohama BayStars/Yokohama DeNA BayStars ({{npby|2010}}–{{npby|2019}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2021}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Yokohama DeNA BayStars ({{npby|2024}}–present)

| awards =

Japan Series champion (2024)
6× NPB All-Star ({{npby|2015}}–{{npby|2019}}, {{npby|2024}})
Central League home run leader ({{npby|2016}})
Central League RBI leader ({{npby|2016}})
Central League Batting Champion ({{npby|2016}}, {{npby|2018}})
Central League OBP Leader ({{npby|2016}}, {{npby|2018}})
3× Central League Best Nine Award ({{npby|2015}}–{{npby|2017}})
NPB All-Star Game MVP ({{npby|2016}})
2× NPB Home Run Derby winner ({{npby|2015}}, {{npby|2018}})

|show-medals=no

|medaltemplates=

{{Medal|Country | {{bb|JPN}} }}

}}

{{nihongo|Yoshitomo "Yoshi" Tsutsugo|筒香嘉智|Tsutsugō Yoshitomo|extra={{IPA|ja|tsɯ̥tsɯꜜɡoː joɕi̥tomo}}, born November 26, 1991}} is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder and first baseman for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.{{Cite web |url=https://npb.jp/japan/2012fal/roster_japan.html |title=侍ジャパンマッチ2012 「日本代表 VS キューバ代表」日本代表メンバー |publisher=日本野球機構 |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=April 14, 2015}} He was the youngest player in BayStars franchise history to reach 100, 150, and 200 home runs.{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/201805220000605.html |title=ＤｅＮＡ筒香が通算150号球団史上最年少 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |date=May 24, 2018 |work=Nikkan Sports |publisher=Nikkan Sports Shimbun |language=ja}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/1690088.html |title=ＤｅＮＡ筒香100号も空砲「負けたら意味ない」 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |date=August 6, 2016 |work=Nikkan Sports |publisher=Nikkan Sports Shimbun |language=ja}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sanspo.com/baseball/news/20160806/den16080605050002-n1.html |title=驚異のハマモン！ＤｅＮＡ・筒香、球団史上最年少で通算１００号 |last=Satō |first=Haruka |access-date=January 21, 2019 |date=April 28, 2017 |work=Sankei Sports |publisher=Sankei Shimbun |language=ja}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sanspo.com/baseball/news/20190818/den19081805030002-n1.html |title=ＤｅＮＡ・筒香、通算２００＋１号！球団史上最年少２７歳で到達 |last=Satō |first=Haruka |access-date=January 21, 2019 |date=August 18, 2019 |work=Sankei Sports |publisher=Sankei Shimbun |language=ja}}

Professional career

= Yokohama BayStars/Yokohama DeNA BayStars =

Tsutsugo made his rookie debut at age 18 for the Yokohama BayStars and played 3 games in 2010. He played 40 games in 2011, 108 games in 2012 and 23 games in 2013. His slow start were caused by injuries and lack of experience using wooden bats in professional baseball. He became a regular on the team in the 2014 season and played in 114 games. He hit 22 home runs, drove in 77 RBIs, and hit .300 with an OBP of .373. In 2015, he was selected to his first NPB All-Star Game. He hit 24 home runs, drove in 95 runs, and hit .309 with an OBP of .395.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

On July 22, 2016, Tsutsugo became the first player in Nippon Professional Baseball history to have three straight multiple home run games,{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/1682931.html |title=筒香バケモン３戦連続マルチ弾ポケモンは全クリなし |last=Tameda |first=Satoshi |access-date=January 21, 2019 |date=July 23, 2016 |work=Nikkan Sports |publisher=Nikkan Sports Shimbun |language=ja}} and in the same month he also became the first to have six multiple home run games in a month.{{cite web |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2016/07/30/kiji/K20160730013061990.html |title=筒香、世界新だ！月間６度目１試合２発１０本差から山田抜いた |last=Nakamura |first=Fumika |access-date=January 21, 2019 |date=July 30, 2016 |work=Sports Nippon |publisher=Sports Nippon Newspaper |language=ja}} In 2016, he was selected to his second consecutive NPB All-Star Game and was the All-Star Game MVP. He led with Central League in home runs (44) and RBIs (110). He also had career highs in batting average (.322) and OBP (.430). Tsutsugo was selected to the next three NPB All-Star Games, winning the Kantosho (敢闘選手賞) or "Fighting Spirit Award" in all three appearances. In total, Tsutsugo appeared in five NPB All-Star Games from 2015 to 2019.

In January 2019, Tsutsugo gave a speech at the Foreign correspondents club of Japan where he criticized the harsh regimentation and focus on tournaments in youth baseball in Japan. In addition he stated that he would like to play in Major League Baseball in the future. After the 2019 season, on November 15, 2019, BayStars announced it was allowing Tsutsugo to enter the posting system to play in Major League Baseball (MLB).{{cite web | url=https://www.baystars.co.jp/news/2019/11/1115_07.php | title=筒香嘉智選手に関するポスティングシステム申請について | website=Baystars.co.jp| language=ja | date=November 15, 2019 | access-date=December 4, 2019 }}

= Tampa Bay Rays =

On December 16, 2019, Tsutsugo signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yoshitomo-tsutsugo-signs-rays|title=Rays finalize 2-year deal with Tsutsugo|website=Mlb.com|date=December 16, 2019|access-date=December 16, 2019}} On March 25, 2020, he returned to Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web | url=https://full-count.jp/2020/03/26/post733368/?fbclid=IwAR0BdqrIQ3Qo9EKYbZpcpHsf9ETjF7A4Qt1rw9xqjWlUvnJbvTE0j5ATikw | title=「新しいものは作りにいってない」筒香嘉智、同級生パートナーと日本で仕切り直し | work=Full-Count | language=ja | date=March 26, 2020 | access-date=July 26, 2020 }}

On July 24, 2020, Tsutsugo was the starting third baseman, making his MLB debut on Opening Day against the Toronto Blue Jays. That day, he recorded his first MLB hit, a home run off of Hyun-jin Ryu.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/yoshi-tsutsugo-first-major-league-home-run | title=Yoshi notches 1st hit, 1st HR on same pitch | work=MLB.com | author=Juan Toribio | date=July 25, 2020 | access-date=July 27, 2020 }} He finished the season hitting .197/.314/.395 with 8 home runs and 24 RBIs in 51 games.

On May 11, 2021, Tsutsugo was designated for assignment by the Rays after hitting .167 in 87 plate appearances.{{cite web|author=Steve Adams |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/rays-dfa-yoshi-tsutsugo.html |title=Rays Designate Yoshi Tsutsugo For Assignment |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2021}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On May 15, 2021, Tsutsugo was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.{{cite web|author=Mark Polishuk |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/dodgers-acquire-yoshi-tsutsugo-from-rays.html |title=Dodgers Acquire Yoshi Tsutsugo From Rays |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date= May 15, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-acquire-yoshi-tsutsugo-from-rays |title=Dodgers acquire Yoshi Tsutsugo from Rays |work=Mlb.com |date= |access-date=July 7, 2021}} He made his Dodgers debut on May 18 as the starting left fielder against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 12 games with the Dodgers, Tsutsugo had three hits in 25 at-bats (.120 average) before being placed on the injured list with a right calf strain.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tsutsyo01.shtml|title=Yoshi Tsutsugo Statistics & History|work=Baseball Reference}} On July 7, he was passed through waivers and sent outright to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/dodgers-outright-yoshi-tsutsugo.html|title=Dodgers Outright Yoshi Tsutsugo|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Anthony|last=Franco|date=July 7, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2021}} On August 14, the Dodgers released Tsutsugo.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Blake |title=Yoshi Tsutsugo has been released |url=https://twitter.com/BlakeHarrisTBLA/status/1426701571006427139 |website=Twitter}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On August 16, 2021, he signed a major league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and played his first game with the team on the same day. On November 24, 2021, he agreed to a one-year contract with the Pirates for $4 million.{{Cite web|url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-sign-yoshi-tsutsugo-designate-john-nogowski-kaai-tom-for-assignment/|title = Pirates sign Yoshi Tsutsugo, designate John Nogowski, Ka'ai Tom for assignment|website=Triblive.com|date = August 16, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-pirates-sign-free-agent-yoshi-tsutsugo|title=Pirates sign free agent Yoshi Tsutsugo|website=MLB.com|access-date=December 9, 2021}} On August 3, 2022, Tsutsugo was designated for assignment. He was released on August 5.

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On August 15, 2022, Tsutsugo signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.{{Cite web|url=https://bluejaysnation.com/2022/08/15/report-toronto-blue-jays-sign-yoshi-tsutsugo-to-minor-league-deal/|title=Report: Toronto Blue Jays sign Yoshi Tsutsugo to minor league deal|website=Bluejaysnation.com|access-date=August 17, 2021}} Tsutsugo was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he hit .265/.381/.459 with 5 home runs and 18 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 13, 2022 |language=en}}

=Texas Rangers=

On January 15, 2023, Tsutsugo signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.{{Cite web|title=Rangers' Yoshi Tsutsugo: Heading to Texas|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rangers-yoshi-tsutsugo-heading-to-texas/amp/|access-date=January 15, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 51 games for the Triple–A Round Rock Express, he hit .249/.380/.432 with 6 home runs and 33 RBI. On June 22, Tsutsugo opted out his deal and became a free agent.{{Cite web|title=Yoshi Tsutsugo: Opts out of deal|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yoshi-tsutsugo-opts-out-of-deal/amp/|access-date=June 22, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Staten Island FerryHawks=

On August 1, 2023, Tsutsugo signed with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions }} In 12 games for the FerryHawks, he hit .359/.479/.949 with 7 home runs and 13 RBI.{{Cite web|title=SF Giants to sign former Pirates slugger, NPB star to minor-league deal|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/giants/news/sf-giants-sign-former-pirates-npb-yoshi-tsutsugo|access-date=August 24, 2023|website=si.com|date=August 21, 2023 |language=en}}

=San Francisco Giants=

On August 21, 2023, Tsutsugo signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/giants/roster/transactions |access-date=August 23, 2023 |website=MLB.com}}{{Cite web|title=Giants' Yoshi Tsutsugo: Nabs MiLB deal from Giants|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-yoshi-tsutsugo-nabs-milb-deal-from-giants/amp/|access-date=August 24, 2023|website=cbssports.com}} He hit .311 in 13 games for the Double–A Richmond Flying Squirrels and finished the year with the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats. Tsutsugo elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=December 8, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 }}

On December 8, 2023, Tsutsugo re–signed with the Giants on a new minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Giants' Yoshi Tsutsugo: Signs with SF|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-yoshi-tsutsugo-signs-with-sf/|work=CBS Sports|date=December 8, 2023|access-date=December 14, 2023}} The Giants released Tsutsugo from his minor league deal on March 21, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/yoshi-tsutsugo-660294|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 31, 2024 |title=Yoshi Tsutsugo Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News }}

=Yokohama DeNA BayStars (second stint)=

On April 16, 2024, Tsutsugo signed a contract to return to the old team Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Baseball: Former Samurai Japan slugger Tsutsugo to rejoin BayStars|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/kd1152702835129254853/|access-date=April 16, 2024|website=nippon.com|language=en}}

International career

Tsutsugo played for Japan national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Tsutsugo was named the Pool B Most Valuable Player after batting .364.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yoshitomo-tsutsugoh-is-mvp-of-wbc-17-pool-b-c218721218|title=Tsutsugoh named MVP of WBC '17 Pool B|website=MLB.com|access-date=December 9, 2021}}

On August 20, 2018, he was selected for the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series,{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-baseball.jp/jp/news/press/20180820_4.html|title=「2018日米野球」出場選手6名、コーチングスタッフが決定|date=August 20, 2018|website=Japan-baseball.jp|language=ja|access-date=October 12, 2018}} but on October 26, 2018, he canceled his participation for Samurai Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-baseball.jp/jp/news/press/20181026_3.html|title=「ENEOS侍ジャパンシリーズ2018」ならびに「2018日米野球」に出場するトップチームの出場選手の変更について|date=October 26, 2018|website=Japan-baseball.jp|language=ja|access-date=December 5, 2018}}

Playing style

Tsutsugo was a switch hitter throughout his amateur school career until he attended Yokohama High School, where he became a left-handed hitter due to a discovery of a herniated disc during a medical examination.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}