Roki Sasaki: Japan’s Pitching Phenom Officially Posted to MLB
It’s official, baseball fans! The hard-throwing Japanese sensation, Roki Sasaki, is now on the radar of Major League Baseball teams. The 23-year-old right-hander has been posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines and will be available to sign as a free agent starting Tuesday, with the signing window closing at 5 p.m. ET on January 23. This marks the beginning of what could be one of the most exciting international signings in recent memory.
Chiba Lotte Marines Make It Official
The Chiba Lotte Marines had announced back on November 9 that they intended to post Sasaki, but they waited until just days before the end of the posting period to make it official. Now, the clock is ticking for MLB teams to make their move on this highly coveted pitcher.
Here’s where things get interesting: because Sasaki is only 23 years old, he falls under MLB’s international amateur rules. This means he’s limited to signing a minor league contract that’s subject to the international signing bonus pools. These pools are typically reserved for 16-year-old prospects from Latin America, making Sasaki’s situation unique. The 2024 signing period ends this Sunday, but the 2025 period opens on January 15, with team pools ranging from $7,555,500 to $5,146,200.
Teams can trade for additional pool money in $250,000 increments starting January 15, but there’s a cap—they can only add up to 60% of their initial pool amount. For the Chiba Lotte Marines, this deal is also lucrative. They’ll receive a posting fee equal to 25% of Sasaki’s signing bonus from the MLB team that lands him.
Following in Shohei Ohtani’s Footsteps
It’s impossible to talk about Sasaki without drawing comparisons to another Japanese superstar, Shohei Ohtani. When Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Angels in December 2016 at the same age, he received a $2,315,000 signing bonus. Ohtani’s early MLB salaries were modest—$545,000, $650,000, and $259,259 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season—but his career earnings skyrocketed. After earning $3 million, $5.5 million, and $30 million during arbitration, Ohtani inked a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season.
Could Sasaki follow a similar trajectory? Many believe he has the potential to be a game-changer in the MLB. Represented by Joel Wolfe of Wasserman Media Group, Sasaki is expected to be one of the most sought-after pitchers on the market this offseason.
Breaking Down Sasaki’s Stats
Let’s talk numbers, because Sasaki’s stats are nothing short of jaw-dropping. In 2023, he went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games, striking out 129 batters in just 111 innings. Over his four injury-shortened seasons with the Marines, Sasaki has compiled a 29-15 career record with a 2.10 ERA. Oh, and did we mention his fastball has been clocked at a blistering 102.5 mph?
One of Sasaki’s most iconic moments came in April 2022, when he pitched a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes. Not only did he retire every batter he faced, but he also struck out 13 in a row and finished with an eye-popping 19 strikeouts. That’s the kind of dominance that has MLB scouts salivating.
Sasaki’s Statement of Gratitude
In a heartfelt statement posted by the Marines on the social platform X, Sasaki expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to pursue his MLB dream. “Since I joined the team, the team has been listening to my thoughts about my future MLB challenge, and I am very grateful to the team for officially allowing me to post,” Sasaki said. He also reflected on his journey with the Marines, saying, “There were many things that did not go well during my five years with the Marines, but I was able to get to this point by concentrating only on baseball, with the support of my teammates, staff, front office, and fans.”
Sasaki added, “I will do my best to work my way up from my minor contract to become the best player in the world, so that I will have no regrets in my one and only baseball career and live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported me.”
Teams with the Most to Spend
As the international signing period approaches, here’s a quick look at the teams with the largest bonus pools:
- $7,555,500: Athletics, Reds, Tigers, Marlins, Brewers, Twins, Mariners, Rays
- $6,908,600: Diamondbacks, Orioles, Guardians, Rockies, Royals, Pirates
- $5,146,200: Dodgers, Giants
With Sasaki officially on the market, the race is on. Which team will land this once-in-a-generation talent? Stay tuned, because this offseason just got a whole lot more exciting.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
