Sugiyama was drafted in the first round of the 1992 amateur draft by the Seibu Lions, and won the Japanese rookie of the year award in 1993, making 54 appearances with a 2.80 ERA. His pitching deteriorated from then on, and he was traded to the Hanshin Tigers in mid-1999.
Sugiyama was selected in the first round of the 1992 amateur draft by the Seibu Lions, and received the Japanese rookie of the year honor in 1993, making 54 appearances with a 2.80 ERA. His pitching declined thereafter, and he was traded to the Hanshin Tigers in mid-1999.