As the popularity of baseball continues to grow around the world, the talent from numerous other countries has become more and more prevalent.
At least 26 different countries and territories were represented in Major League Baseball during the 2024 season as baseball truly becomes a global game.
One of the goals Mike Elias has set for the Baltimore Orioles was to expand the franchise into the international market.
Several years ago the Orioles dove into the market and began placing more emphasis in Central America.
The signing of Samuel Basallo out of the Dominican Republic was just the start of things to come as the Orioles farm system has been flooded with international talent, to include nearly half of their top 30 prospects.
The Birds built a training facility and enlisted the help of former Orioles Melvin Mora, Ubaldo Jimenez and Vladimir Guerrero Sr. to expand their presence in Latin America.
Now that they’re firmly established in that region, the O’s are beginning to tap into a different market.
When the Orioles signed Tomoyuki Sugano from Japan, he became just the third Japanese player in Orioles history after Koji Uehara and Shintaro Fujinami.
But this could be just the beginning. As the Birds potentially look for a toe hold in the Asian market, they have brought in a secret weapon to help them. A guy with some insider information.
The Orioles will rely on newly minted special advisor Adam Jones for help with extending into Japan
Earlier this week the Orioles announced that Adam Jones would be rejoining the franchise as a special advisor to GM Mike Elias and community ambassador.
Even though the new role wasn’t official until January 27, Elias had reportedly already sought out Jones’s advise.
Mike Elias on video call said having Adam Jones back in org will be an asset expanding #orioles reach in Japan. Jones played his last 2 seasons there. Elias said Jones “signed off” on Sugano signing.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) January 28, 2025
Statistically speaking, Jones is one of the best players the Orioles have had this century. He earned five all-star selections, won four gold gloves and a silver slugger while with the O’s.
During his major league career with the Seattle Mariners, Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks, Jones had over 7,500 plate appearances and a career OPS of .317. Clearly he knows what major league pitching should look like. Jones played the final two years of his career in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League.
During his career Jones faced Sugano on several occasions and Jones believes Sugano has what it takes to be a successful major leaguer.
“I want to be a resource for the next generation as guys were resources for me.”@SimplyAJ10 discusses his new advisory role with the @Orioles, insight into their new RHP acquisition Tomoyuki Sugano and more. #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/oq9xZ7P39b
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 29, 2025
Jones is able to provide details that others may not have. For example, he talked about how Sugano is able to keep the ball in the ballpark even when his home stadium with the Yomiuri Giants, the Tokyo Dome, being what Jones called “one of the smallest ballparks on earth”. Jones got to spend time with many players during his days in Japan and got to see who was interested in trying to play in the major leagues and gain an understanding the Japanese style of play. Both could be helpful as the Orioles look to acquire new players.
