Tomoyuki Sugano may be the best pitcher in the world who isn't in the major leagues, but the 28-year-old Yomiuri Giants star intends to rectify that situation.
Last season's winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award as Japan's most impressive starting pitcher, the soft-spoken right-hander has had the majors in his sights since he starred at Tokai University. But when he had the chance, he instead chose the Giants, where his uncle Tatsunori Hara was then the manager.
"He wanted to go to the majors more than anything, but that proved too difficult given his family connections," a source familiar with the situation in 2011, when Sugano delayed turning pro rather than sign with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, said last year.