The ink has barely dried on Juan Soto’s record-breaking deal with the New York Mets, and Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are already setting their sights on the next big sensation. This time, the focus shifts to Japan’s 23-year-old pitching phenomenon, Roki Sasaki, who has been dominating Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and is now ready to take his talents to the MLB.
The Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki’s current team, have officially posted him, giving MLB franchises until January 23 to present their case as the ideal destination for this rising star.
### Who is Roki Sasaki?
Despite being just 23 years old, Roki Sasaki has already established himself as one of the most exceptional pitchers in the world. Standing at 6-foot-2, the right-handed pitcher put up remarkable numbers in 2024, boasting a 10-5 record with a 2.35 ERA over 18 games. In just 111 innings, he struck out 129 batters, further solidifying his reputation as a dominant force on the mound.
Over his career, Sasaki’s statistics are even more staggering. Known as the “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” he has recorded a career ERA of 2.02 with 524 strikeouts across 414 2/3 innings. Sasaki first gained attention when he broke Shohei Ohtani’s record for the fastest pitch by a Japanese high school player, hitting 101 mph. Since then, he has been on the radar of MLB scouts and executives.
Sasaki made a splash internationally in April 2022 when he pitched a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes in the NPB. It was only the 16th perfect game in NPB history and the first in 28 years. What set this performance apart, however, was how he achieved it. Sasaki struck out 13 consecutive batters between the first and fifth innings, breaking the previous record of 10 consecutive strikeouts held by Corbin Burnes, Tom Seaver, and Aaron Nola in MLB. His total of 19 strikeouts in the game tied the all-time NPB record.
Just days later, Sasaki nearly repeated the feat, pitching eight perfect innings with 14 strikeouts before being pulled from the game. This display of dominance earned him international acclaim and heightened interest from MLB fans and scouts.
Sasaki’s stock rose even higher during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he played a key role in Japan’s championship run alongside stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Sasaki struck out 11 batters over 7 2/3 innings, showcasing his prowess on the global stage.
What makes Sasaki so effective is a combination of incredible velocity and devastating secondary pitches. His fastball has been clocked at an astonishing 102.5 mph, while his splitter is regarded as one of the best in the game today. Japanese baseball writer Jason Coskrey described the pitch as “absolutely devastating” and noted that it leaves batters utterly baffled. Sasaki’s towering presence, raw talent, and refined skills have drawn comparisons to some of baseball’s greatest pitchers.
Masato Yoshii, Sasaki’s former coach, likened the experience of seeing him pitch for the first time to witnessing the talent of Hideo Nomo, one of Japan’s pioneering MLB stars. James Dykstra, a former White Sox draftee who played alongside Sasaki in Japan, described him as “probably one of the greatest pitchers I’ve ever seen live.” According to Dykstra, Sasaki’s raw ability is unmatched, making him a generational talent.
### What Makes His Free Agency Unique?
Sasaki’s extraordinary talent at such a young age has naturally drawn comparisons to Shohei Ohtani, but their situations in free agency also bear similarities. Due to MLB’s international signing rules, foreign-born players under the age of 25 are subject to restrictions that limit their earnings. These players are eligible only for contracts governed by international bonus pool money, significantly capping their potential earnings.
To avoid these restrictions, players must be at least 25 years old and have accrued six seasons of experience in a foreign league recognized by MLB. Because Sasaki is being posted at just 23, his first MLB contract will likely resemble the $2.315 million deal signed by Ohtani with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, rather than the $325 million megadeal that Yoshinobu Yamamoto recently inked with the Los Angeles Dodgers at age 25.
Japanese baseball analyst Jason Coskrey noted that Sasaki’s potential ceiling may even exceed that of Yamamoto. However, Sasaki’s decision to enter MLB now—despite the financial limitations—highlights his eagerness to compete at the highest level.
“He’d get a crazy contract if the rules were different, but the rules are the rules,” said Coskrey. Sasaki himself expressed gratitude to the Chiba Lotte Marines for accommodating his desire to move to MLB sooner rather than later.
“I can only express my gratitude to the team, who have always listened to me about my future plans to challenge the MLB since I joined,” Sasaki said in a statement. “I will do my best to become the best player in the world who has come up from a minor league contract so that I will have no regrets in my one-time baseball career and live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported me.”
### Which Team Will Land Him?
The race to secure Sasaki’s services is heating up, with more than half of MLB’s teams reportedly scouting him in the past year. Among the early favorites are the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, confirmed the team’s interest.
“He’s someone that is obviously a major priority for us,” Friedman told MLB.com. “We’re going to do whatever we can, knowing that there are a lot of other teams that are going to do the exact same thing.”
Another strong contender is the San Diego Padres, who are aggressively pursuing Sasaki. Manager Mike Shildt expressed confidence in the Padres’ ability to land the Japanese ace.
“We should be very legitimate contenders,” Shildt told MLB Network Radio. “We fully expect to be right in the mix and, at the end of the day, have Sasaki as a Padre.”
The Padres may hold a unique advantage in the form of Yu Darvish, a veteran pitcher who is revered by many young Japanese players. Darvish served as a mentor during the World Baseball Classic, and his influence could sway Sasaki’s decision.
“Darvish is like a hero figure to a lot of Japanese players,” Coskrey explained. “He was a big mentor during the World Baseball Classic. I think he may have been the most popular guy on the team.”
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets are also reportedly in the mix. Sasaki’s decision may ultimately come down to which team aligns most closely with his long-term goals and development.
As one of the most highly anticipated international signings in years, Roki Sasaki is poised to become a household name in MLB. Whether he ends up in Los Angeles, San Diego, or another city, his immense talent and competitive drive suggest he’ll make an immediate impact. With comparisons to Shohei Ohtani and a skill set that has already redefined what’s possible on the mound, Sasaki’s arrival in MLB is set to captivate baseball fans worldwide.