Yoshi Tsutsugo

33-Year-Old First Baseman1B

Free Agent

2025 Stats

AVG

.000

RBI

Rest-of-Season Projections

AVG

RBI

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2025 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Yoshi Tsutsugo in 2025. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats L

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 6'1"

Weight 214

DOB 11/26/1991

Drafted 2019

Signs with Giants

1BSan Francisco Giants

December 8, 2023

Tsutsugo signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

ANALYSIS
Tsutsugo spent all of last season in the minors, slashing .260/.401/.457 with 44 RBI across 279 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A in the Rangers' and Giants' organizations. The 32-year-old has just a .630 OPS in his MLB career, but a good spring and a hot start in the minors could earn him another chance in the bigs.

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2021 MLB Game Log

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2020 MLB Game Log

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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Yoshi Tsutsugo See More

NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

August 7, 2022

With all the recent transactions, Dan Marcus reviews some players who are set to take on much larger roles.

Todd's Takes: Trade Reactions, Part One

August 5, 2022

Todd Zola analyzes Thursday's MLB action with a specific focus on the effects of recent trades.

Collette Calls: Next Man Up

July 25, 2022

Jason Collette breaks down the players most likely to be dealt at the deadline as well as those who are set to benefit from increased playing time.

NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

July 10, 2022

Jan Levine gives his top NL pickups of the week, with Darick Hall looking worthy of a sizable bid.

NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

July 3, 2022

Jan Levine has identified a few relief pitching options, including one leading the way in Atlanta.

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.

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Nabs MiLB deal from Giants

1BSan Francisco Giants

August 21, 2023

Tsutsugo agreed to a minor-league contract with the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

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Opts out of deal

1BFree Agent

June 22, 2023

Tsutsugo opted out of his minor-league contract with the Rangers and became a free agent Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

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Fails to make Opening Day squad

1BTexas Rangers

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.

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Reports to camp

1BTexas Rangers

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

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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Latest Fantasy Rumors

Discussing new deal with Giants

1BSan Francisco Giants

November 8, 2023

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Wednesday that the club is aiming to re-sign Tsutsugo, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

ANALYSIS
Tsutsugo joined the Giants on a minor-league contract this past August and went on to post a robust .296/.465/.537 batting line with four home runs and 11 RBI in 17 games between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento. The soon-to-be 32-year-old hasn't played in a game at the MLB level since 2022, when he struggled to a .478 OPS in 193 plate appearances with the Pirates.

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