Pirates A to Z: After displaying power bat, Yoshi Tsutsugo signs to return as starter at 1B

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Miguel Yajure.

Player: Yoshi Tsutsugo

Position: First base/outfield

Throws: Right

Bats: Left

Age: 30

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 225 pounds

2021 MLB statistics: Tsutsugo batted .243/.337/.467 with eight doubles, one triple, eight home runs and 27 RBIs in 91 games with Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pirates.

Contract: Agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal.

Acquired: Signed by Pirates after being released by Dodgers in August.

This past season: After batting .197 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 51 games in 2020, Tsutsugo’s second season of a two-year, $12 million contract with the Rays went south quickly.

Tsutsugo batted .167 (13 for 78) in the first 26 games before being designated for assignment, then traded to the Dodgers for cash considerations or a player to be named.

The struggles to catch up to fastballs continued, as Tsutsugo hit .120 (3 for 25) in his first 12 games with the Dodgers. He was sent to their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City.

It was there that Tsutsugo regained his power-hitting form, batting .257 with an .868 OPS, 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in 43 games. The Dodgers, in the midst of a division title race with San Francisco last August, released Tsutsugo so he could sign with another MLB team.

That’s where the Pirates came in, signing Tsutsugo and designating first baseman John Nogowski for assignment. Nogowski started hot by hitting .438 in his first dozen games but went cold, batting .127 in his final 21.

Tsutsugo proved to be an immediate upgrade, at least offensively. Although he looked lost in right field and struggled at times at first base, he batted .314 (27 for 86) with a 1.098 OPS in his first 32 games, with eight of his 16 extra-base hits going for home runs.

“He’s got a lot of juice and he’s fun to watch,” Pirates left-hander Dillon Peters said. “He’s a pitcher’s nightmare, whether that’s a lefty or a righty. He’s always a threat for the ball to leave the yard.”

Tsutsugo’s biggest moment came when he hit a three-run bomb to right field off St. Louis Cardinals closer Alex Reyes for a 4-3 walk-off win Aug. 29 at PNC Park.

What a finish as Yoshi Tsutsugo walks off the Cards. The @Pirates split a 4 game series before heading out to Chicago. After the game Robby Incmikoski caught up with this afternoon's hero. pic.twitter.com/mehjarhyFE

— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) August 29, 2021

Another highlight was Tsutsugo smashing a Kyle Hendricks curveball 404 feet off the scoreboard in right field in the first inning of a 7-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 4 at Wrigley Field.

“I was glad it was a home run,” Tsutsugo said. “I didn’t care how far it went.”

Tsutsugo also delivered the game-winning RBI by hitting opposite field through the shift in the fifth inning of a 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 14 at PNC Park.

Tsutsugo finished by batting .268 with eight doubles, eight home runs and 25 RBIs in 43 games with the Pirates, flashing the power that made him a star in Japan.

“I think the one thing we have to realize with Yoshi is this guy played a lot of games in Japan and he’s got a lot of experience,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “And although he’s only played a little bit in the major leagues, he has a ton of experience in those situations and was a run producer.”

pic.twitter.com/gXpBgfq81G
Yoshi Tsutsugo Hits a solo shot (7) to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

— MLB Updates (@MLBNews1234) September 5, 2021

The future: Tsutsugo was a free agent but the Pirates signed him to a one-year contract worth $4 million. Tsutsugo said he had offers from other teams but ended up choosing the Pirates.

That his lefty bat plays at PNC Park had to have factored into the decision. In 21 games there, Tsutsugo has hit .286 with a .958 OPS, three doubles, a triple, three home runs and 15 RBIs.

“I really like Pittsburgh,” Tsutsugo said in a video conference call Tuesday morning through translator Brian Tobin. “Being familiar with the owner, GM, staff, teammates, I’m really thankful for them. Just spending this year with the Pittsburgh Pirates was a big experience for me. I’m really thankful for that experience.”

To make room for Tsutsugo on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated Colin Moran for assignment Monday night. The move made Tsutsugo their starting first baseman. He started 28 games there last season, 20 in right field, 10 in left and nine as designated hitter.

“It’s an honor that people mention that, the every-day first baseman,” Tsutsugo said. “I’m not really gonna change how I prepare. I practiced being the first baseman before. There’s not really gonna be a big change in my preparation.”