The Baltimore Orioles are at a defining moment. After an impressive 2024 season, the expectations are reaching new heights, and so are the challenges. The spring training is in full swing, but apparently the team is preparing for the season without their ace, Corbin Burnes, whose exit has left a major void in the lineup. What if his replacement isn’t as solid as it looks?
That’s exactly the question an MLB analyst has raised. The Baltimore Orioles are placing a major bet on Tomoyuki Sugano. They signed the veteran Japanese pitcher to a $13 million deal. Not everyone is convinced if he’s a right fit. In a recent MLB podcast, the analyst pointed it out, saying, “We are penciling in Sugano to be good, and what if he’s not?”. He also added, “Not every guy that comes over is going to be nails or have the first year that Senga had or the first year Imanaga had.”. His concern is not entirely invalid. Some pitchers, such as Kodai Senga and Shota Imanaga, found themselves thriving immediately. But if history is any indication, the transition from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) isn’t always seamless.
35-year-old Sugano has a thriving career in Japan, recording a staggering 2.43 ERA over 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants. While he has an unmatched dominance in NPB, the Baltimore Orioles are banking on him to replace Burnes’ 200 innings and 2.92 ERA—and that’s a gigantic ask. Fans have already raised eyebrows across social media, questioning whether this was the right move. According to some, the team should have looked for a more proven MLB arm instead of making a high-stakes move with a newcomer.
It’s all up to Sugano now; will he be able to prove these critics wrong and thrive in the Baltimore Orioles? Or it could be the other way around—the Orioles regretting not finding a more experienced MLB arm. We won’t have to wait too long to know.
Baltimore Orioles’ Top Outfield Prospects Shine in Spring Breakout
The Baltimore Orioles’ farm system continues to deliver top-tier prospects. If their spring breakout game against the Yankees was any hint, there are a few more names fans should keep a sight on—Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Vance Honeycutt.
Although, most of the discussions around Baltimore Orioles’ prospects have been about players like Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo, and of course, the next big thing, Samuel Basallo. On 15th March, 2025, Bradfield and Honeycutt made it clear that they’re not just here for the ride; they’re here to make an impact.
Bradfield’s biggest weapon is his game-changing speed. And he wasted no time in displaying it. During his first inning, he slashed a single to the opposite side. And before your second breath, he was already standing on third after taking advantage of a botched pickoff attempt. Right during the next pitch, he bolted home on a wild pitch, scoring Baltimore Orioles’ first run with ease.
Honeycutt, on the other hand, also made sure to leave a lasting impact. During the fourth, he smashed a ball deep into left-center. Then, he turned on the jets, flew around third, and dove headfirst into home. Moments like that, don’t just get the crowd hyped, but also make scouts and coaches take notice.
The Baltimore Orioles ultimately walked it off with a 5-4 win. The highlight was definitely the duo of Bradfield and Honeycutt proving that Baltimore’s farm system just keeps thriving. They might not be ready for the major league just yet, but if they are consistent like this, it won’t be long before they’re captivating fans at Camden Yards.
The post Orioles’ $13M Decision Questioned: MLB Analyst Casts Doubt on Corbin Burns Replacement appeared first on EssentiallySports.
