Though Atlanta's Nick Markakis became the latest player to elect to sit out the 2020 season, Cash said no Rays players have told him of their intention to sit out. Among many other things, Tsutsugo had to get adjusted to a different language, the culture and the food, as … Yoshitomo "Yoshi" Tsutsugo (筒香 嘉智, Tsutsugō Yoshitomo, Japanese pronunciation: [tsɯ̥tsɯgoꜜː joɕi̥tomo], born November 26, 1991) is a Japanese professional baseball left fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Despite some of the contact issues he endured before play was paused, hopes remain high for Tsutsugo, who's also caught manager Kevin Cash's eye with his defense at both third base and left field.CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc.Tsutsugo came into spring camp after a distinguished career in Japan, and the 28-year-old provided plenty of encouraging signs before spring training was paused that he was making progress toward adjusting to major-league arms. He owns a strong .285/.382/.528 slash line over 10 NPB seasons, but he offers little on the defensive side of the ball.The 28-year-old started the first two games of the season and went 1-for-8 with a two-run home run, but he'll take a seat for the series finale. Earlier in camp, Tsutsugo drew praise for his defense at third base, so he appears prepared to deliver the versatility the Rays desired when they signed him this offseason.The Japanese slugger is looking to get his swing locked in during summer camp, as he'd produced mixed results during his first exposure to MLB arms during Grapefruit League play. The offseason import had some struggles adjusting to MLB arms in Grapefruit League play, but Toribio also notes the 28-year-old impressed manager Kevin Cash with his defense at both third base and left field. Hunter Renfroe said there has been “no talk at all” about that subject between players and that their focus is on trying to win a World Series.“I want to be able to represent myself on the field, perform well and be able to motivate other people that are suffering through the virus,” he said.“His swing is what it is, and it’s really good,” Cash said. Oftentimes, those adjustments are the most difficult part of the transition for an international player, especially one who was as established as Tsutsugo was in Japan.Anthony Banda, Andrew Kittredge and Oliver Drake are some of the pitchers slated to throw live BP on Tuesday.
The Japanese slugger was juggling his time between third base and left field, and he was adjusting to a new batting-practice routine and the fact that pitchers in the Majors throw with more velocity than in Japan.All of that is a tall task, even for a player who had 205 career home runs and five All-Star appearances in Japan.
Tstusugo does offer plenty of pop, however, and he will be in a fruitful spot for counting stats batting somewhere between second and fifth in a good lineup.The slugger comes over from Japan after posting six straight seasons with an OPS of .899 or better. Tsutsugo will continue to get reps at third base and left field, and he should get enough reps at both positions before Opening Day on July 23 or 24.Tsutsugo did acknowledge that the current circumstances are not the ones he hoped for or imagined when he decided to sign a two-year, $12 million deal with the Rays in December. Tsutsugo will have to make the usual adjustment to stateside baseball that other Japanese players have undergone, but the slugger is on record as stating he believes he'll only need the customary 40 exhibition at-bats he's traditionally logged during his career to be prepared for the regular season. Tsutsugo is certainly still in his prime, as he'll turn 28 later in November, though his ability to translate his success in Japan to the United States remains to be seen. “He has special power; he’s got special line-drive ability. With MLB and the MLBPA now having come to terms on a return-to-play plan, Tsutsugo intends to rejoin the Rays ahead of his rookie season.
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