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 picked by the Seibu Lions in the first round of the 1992 amateur draft, took home rookie of the year in 1993, and made 54 appearances with a 2.80 ERA before his skills declined, prompting a mid-1999 transfer to the Hanshin Tigers.