ROKI SASAKI SWINGs IN WITH DODGERS, ROCKING MLS AND FOLKS ALIKE
A deal announced yesterday via Instagram seems to have sent shockwaves throughout the baseball world. However, it wasn't entirely a surprise to insiders. Roki Sasaki, Japan's hottest young star, has agreed to join the Los Angeles Dodgers and will be sporting Dodger blue in his new jersey.
Sasaki, 22, had been made available as an amateur international free agent, but despite numerous interested teams, he prioritized seeking resources and growth opportunities that were not immediately available. Instead of staying in Japan for two more years to land a larger contract, Sasaki jumped at the chance to hone his skills against top-tier competition.
The 2022 Japanese baseball season saw him rack up an impressive 19-strikeout perfect game, solidifying his nickname "The Monster of the Reiwa Era". The Chiba Lotte Marines' ace delivered pitches that consistently clocked over 100 miles per hour, leaving hitters bewildered and defeated. That impressive performance earned him recognition across Japan.
Sasaki's interest in advancing further than he did in his short professional career is clear. Throughout his participation in last year's World Baseball Classic, the young talent demonstrated incredible skill when facing off against powerful opponents such as Randy Arozarena and Alex Verdugo. Despite missing valuable time due to injuries, Sasaki managed an average fastball speed of 101.8 miles per hour.
It appears that Sasaki is a bit of a wild card. After signing with the Dodgers for $6.5 million plus additional compensation, both teams will be eager to see the results from this young talent. While health concerns do cloud the future prospects of many young players, it would seem unlikely given the care taken by the Dodger organization to keep him under management.
In trying times of market and pitching performance challenges for young baseball stars like Sasaki there appears that joining the Los Angeles Dodgers offers him a pathway to excel on a higher level.