Yoshi Tsutsugo

Yoshi Tsutsugo

31-Year-Old First Baseman1B
Texas Rangers AAA
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Yoshi Tsutsugo in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
RANKSFrom Preseason
$Signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Rangers in January of 2023.
Fails to make Opening Day squad
1BTexas Rangers  AAA
March 24, 2023
The Rangers informed Tsutsugo on Friday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Tsutsugo's bid for a roster spot wasn't helped -- through no fault of his own -- by visa issues leading to a late start. The Rangers surely would like him to stick around at Triple-A Round Rock, but Tsutsugo likely has an opt-out decision.
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Batting Stats
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2022
2021
2020
2022 MLB Game Log
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2021 MLB Game Log
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2020 MLB Game Log
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Minor League Game Log
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2021
 
 
+1%
OPS vs LHP
2023
No Stats
2022
 
 
+1%
OPS vs LHP
2021
 
 
+4%
OPS vs LHP
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2021vs Left .603 134 8 3 17 0 .220 .261 .341
Since 2021vs Right .597 321 30 7 34 0 .188 .291 .307
2023vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023vs Right 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022vs Left .480 64 4 1 8 0 .175 .234 .246
2022vs Right .477 129 7 1 11 0 .168 .256 .221
2021vs Left .710 70 4 2 9 0 .258 .286 .424
2021vs Right .680 192 23 6 23 0 .201 .314 .366
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Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2021
 
 
+7%
OPS at Home
2023
No Stats
2022
 
 
+27%
OPS at Home
2021
Even Split
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2021Home .617 241 20 4 28 0 .198 .315 .302
Since 2021Away .577 214 18 6 23 0 .197 .244 .333
2023Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023Away 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022Home .530 105 6 1 12 0 .189 .286 .244
2022Away .417 88 5 1 7 0 .150 .205 .213
2021Home .686 136 14 3 16 0 .205 .338 .348
2021Away .687 126 13 5 16 0 .229 .272 .415
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Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Yoshi Tsutsugo See More
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2016
Tsutsugo was a late-season surprise with Pittsburgh who became an unlikely FAAB find in many leagues. He was DFA'd by Tampa Bay early in the season and eventually dealt to the Dodgers with whom he found some Pacific Coast League success around little else before they too sent him packing. The Pirates grabbed him off the discard pile and he finished the season finally showing some ability to hit major-league pitching for one shining moment. Tsutsugo hit .306/.394/.682 in his first 100 plate appearances in a Pirates uniform, but then limped to the finish line with a .190/.244/.238 line over his final 45 plate appearances. He has had nearly 450 plate appearances at the big-league level, and that hot streak is the only thing which has kept him above the Mendoza Line as his career line is .209/.309/.388. He has simply been overpowered by velocity for most of his time in the majors and the 100 plate appearances should not outweigh the other 350.
Players arriving from overseas always come with plenty of intrigue, and that was as true as ever for Tsutsugo last offseason. There was added mystery in this case, as it wasn't entirely clear where he fit within the Rays' collection of largely mediocre corner bats, which was as deep as ever. Even after one season in the league, Tsutsugo's value remains somewhat hard to place. He hit just .197 in his MLB debut, but a strong 14.1 BB% and eight homers helped him to a respectable enough 98 wRC+. That mark isn't good enough for a corner player, especially one who played a lot of DH and graded very poorly at third base (though he did at least look good in left field). If that's all Tsutsugo is, expect his role to decrease going forward, but there's perhaps reason to expect at least a bit more, though a good bit of his poor average appears to be on him, as Statcast's .212 xBA still wouldn't be a strong mark.
Tsutsugo, who inked a two-year, $12 million deal with the Rays this offseason, has been one of Japan's top power hitters with 29 home runs last season and 38 in 2018. He led Team Japan in the 2017 World Baseball Classic with a 1.113 OPS and has had an OPS of .899 or better while averaging 35 home runs the past four seasons in NPB. He had a 15.7 BB% last season and has a career .382 OBP. His 25.3 K% last season was well up from the 18.4 K% he logged in 2018, which is mildly concerning. Tsutsugo impressed the Rays in a private workout at the Winter Meetings, so they acted fast to acquire his left-handed power bat. Designated hitter, left field and third base are the positions they plan to try him at. Tampa Bay is not in the habit of handing out bad contracts, especially to bat-first players. The playing time should be there, and while he may not hit for a high average, he could be an asset in HR, RBI and OBP.
After spending a couple years on the horizon, Tsutsugoh broke out in 2014 after transitioning to the outfield, and hasn't looked back. He followed up a solid .300/.373/.529 with a better .317/.400/.522 line in 2015, improving his contact skills and his ability to drive the ball. Tsutsugoh has realistic 40 homer upside (in Japan), and has MLB aspirations dating back to his high school days.
More Fantasy News
Reports to camp
1BTexas Rangers  AAA
Personal
March 5, 2023
Tsutsugo reported to MLB camp Sunday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
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Yet to report due to visa issues
1BTexas Rangers  AAA
March 3, 2023
Tsutsugo has yet to report to Rangers camp because of visa issues, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
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Heading to Texas
1BTexas Rangers  AAA
January 15, 2023
Tsutsugo signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers as a non-roster invitee Sunday.
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Signs MiLB deal with Toronto
1BToronto Blue Jays  AAA
August 17, 2022
Tsutsugo signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
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Released by Pirates
1BFree Agent  AAA
August 5, 2022
Tsutsugo was released by the Pirates on Friday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
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