Pitcher Roki Sasaki next ‘big thing’ from Japanese baseball
1 year, 10 months ago

Pitcher Roki Sasaki next ‘big thing’ from Japanese baseball

Associated Press  

TOKYO — In Japan they call pitcher Roki Sasaki the “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” which translates roughly into a “once-in-a-generation superstar.” In simple English, Sasaki is likely to be the next big thing out of Japan following Shohei Ohtani, who debuted five years ago with the Los Angeles Angels. He is something special,” San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish said of Sasaki at Japan’s training camp for the World Baseball Classic. “It’s been 11 years but I cannot easily erase the agony and sadness I felt at the time,” Sasaki said a year ago at a news conference. “Most of the top pitchers in Japan who go to the States will succeed,” said Robert Whiting, who has written several books about Japanese baseball including “The Samurai Way of Baseball.” But Sasaki is undoubtedly that “once in a generation” pick.

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History of this topic

Dodgers’ meeting with Roki Sasaki didn’t include in-person pitches from Ohtani or Yamamoto
1 week, 5 days ago

Dodgers’ meeting with Roki Sasaki didn’t include in-person pitches from Ohtani or Yamamoto

LA Times  

Roki Sasaki pitches for Japan during the World Baseball Classic in March 2023. “There were a couple of teams that had a video from one or two players, but for the most part, it was the general manager, possibly an assistant GM, the manager, the pitching coach and people from the bio-mechanics performance and training staff.” Wolfe would not say …

Roki Sasaki: Meet MLB’s next free agent superstar
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Roki Sasaki: Meet MLB’s next free agent superstar

CNN  

CNN — The ink is barely dry on Juan Soto’s record-breaking contract with the New York Mets, but already MLB franchises are again looking for a shiny new toy. Sasaki’s career stats make for even better reading, with the so-called “Monster of the Reiwa Era” recording an ERA of just 2.02, picking up 524 strikeouts in 414 2/3 innings. Sasaki …

MLB investigated to ensure no early Sasaki deal in place, pitcher likely to pick team mid-January
Trending News
1 month ago

MLB investigated to ensure no early Sasaki deal in place, pitcher likely to pick team mid-January

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Major League Baseball investigated to ensure no team had an advance deal in place for Roki Sasaki, and the agent for the Japanese pitcher said picking a club will be “like the draft in reverse.” On the first day of Sasaki’s 45-day window to sign with an MLB team, agent Joel Wolfe said the 23-year-old right-hander likely will …

Will Dodgers sign Roki Sasaki? Agent details posting process for star Japanese pitcher
1 month ago

Will Dodgers sign Roki Sasaki? Agent details posting process for star Japanese pitcher

LA Times  

Like the rest of Major League Baseball, the Dodgers have closely monitored Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki over the last couple of years, anxiously waiting for the hard-throwing phenom to come to MLB. It was such an uncommon move that, as rumors about Sasaki’s interest in leaving Japan for MLB early circulated over the last couple of years, Wolfe said …

Japanese ace Roki Sasaki to become available to MLB teams this offseason
2 months ago

Japanese ace Roki Sasaki to become available to MLB teams this offseason

Associated Press  

CHIBA, Japan — Japanese ace Roki Sasaki will be available to Major League Baseball teams this offseason. The Los Angeles Dodgers have kept the most available space left in their 2024 signing bonus pool, $2,502,500. After the Dodgers signed Ohtani to a $700 million, 10-year contract and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million, 12-year deal last December, Los Angeles …

The Roki Sasaki MLB sweepstakes: Teams to watch and what could influence his decision
2 months ago

The Roki Sasaki MLB sweepstakes: Teams to watch and what could influence his decision

New York Times  

Roki Sasaki’s first contract to play in the big leagues won’t be about just money. But once the sweepstakes begin for his services, Sasaki will likely prioritize stability, lifestyle, comfort and, according to league sources, a team’s track record with player development. “To be honest, he still has a lot to learn,” Chiba Lotta Marines manager Masato Yoshii said early …

Japanese ace Roki Sasaki to be posted, becoming a top Dodgers free-agency target
2 months ago

Japanese ace Roki Sasaki to be posted, becoming a top Dodgers free-agency target

LA Times  

Roki Sasaki of Japan pitches during the World Baseball Classic in March 2023. The Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki’s team in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, announced they will be posting the 23-year-old star for Major League Baseball teams to sign this winter. Now that Sasaki’s team will begin the process of posting him — his maximum singing bonus reportedly will …

Roki Sasaki and Major League Baseball: How effective would his pitching arsenal be?
2 months ago

Roki Sasaki and Major League Baseball: How effective would his pitching arsenal be?

New York Times  

Roki Sasaki is a stud. But Sasaki, 23, has been putting up some bonkers numbers in Japan, with a 2.02 career ERA, and there’s a chance he comes over to Major League Baseball through the posting process this offseason. Even with a mid-career position player who has played Major League Baseball for his entire professional career, there are things the …

MLB GM meetings: What we’re hearing about star Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki
2 months ago

MLB GM meetings: What we’re hearing about star Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki

New York Times  

SAN ANTONIO — Roki Sasaki is so enormously talented that teams have to prepare for the possibility that the Japanese pitcher is about to become an international free agent, even though club officials still don’t know whether that will actually happen this winter. Amid the uncertainty, Sasaki has been a popular name this week at MLB’s general managers’ meetings, where …

Japanese star Roki Sasaki pitches seven strong innings as his future in MLB comes into focus.
4 months, 1 week ago

Japanese star Roki Sasaki pitches seven strong innings as his future in MLB comes into focus.

Associated Press  

TOKYO — It’s not clear if pitcher Roki Sasaki — the next big thing out of Japanese baseball — will move to Major League Baseball next season. But on Friday, despite arm issues earlier in the year and a slight drop in velocity and strikeouts this season, he’s showed he’s ready to follow Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu …

One Sasaki throws hard, another hits homers. Will Rōki or Rintaro be MLB’s next Japanese star?
6 months, 3 weeks ago

One Sasaki throws hard, another hits homers. Will Rōki or Rintaro be MLB’s next Japanese star?

LA Times  

Rintaro Sasaki homered in the second at-bat of his U.S. amateur debut last week, the blast grabbing headlines because the 19-year-old might be the next big bat export from Japan to Major League Baseball. The best of the best play on The Farm 😤 Welcome to Stanford, Rintaro Sasaki!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/5p4JGZzoQT — Stanford Baseball February 14, 2024 Rōki made history in …

Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki blazing his own baseball path in US via Stanford, MLB Draft League
7 months ago

Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki blazing his own baseball path in US via Stanford, MLB Draft League

Associated Press  

STANFORD, Calif. — When balls start landing on the Stanford football team’s practice grass way beyond the wall in right-center field, everybody knows Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki must be taking batting practice at nearby Sunken Diamond. “He’s pulling toward the pool for sure.” Sasaki, who hit 140 high school home runs and then made waves by opting out of Japan’s …

After Ohtani and Kikuchi, Japan high school toasts latest baseball prodigy
9 months, 1 week ago

After Ohtani and Kikuchi, Japan high school toasts latest baseball prodigy

CNN  

Hanamaki, Japan CNN — At a school in Japan’s snowy northern mountains, reminders of distinguished alumni are everywhere. “The presence of legends like Shohei Ohtani and Yusei Kikuchi were a huge factor as to why I got into baseball – I fell in love with the sport,” Sasaki told CNN. Sasaki said this pivot to academia was inspired by his …

Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws 2 impressive, scoreless innings in MLB exhibition debut for Dodgers
10 months, 1 week ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws 2 impressive, scoreless innings in MLB exhibition debut for Dodgers

Associated Press  

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Even Shohei Ohtani was intrigued by Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s exhibition debut Wednesday, making the 30-minute drive through Phoenix suburbs in a white convertible to show his support for a fellow Japanese star, even though he wasn’t playing in the game. When Yamamoto was asked how Ohtani judged the outing, the pitcher grinned and said “so-so.” Roberts said the …

Rōki Sasaki says he wants to play in MLB but Japanese pitcher won’t say when that might be
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Rōki Sasaki says he wants to play in MLB but Japanese pitcher won’t say when that might be

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Pitcher Rōki Sasaki is the next big thing out of Japanese baseball. I believe the club understands it too.” Sasaki has watched Shohei Ohtani sign a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last month. Asked when he would play in MLB, Kyodo reported Sasaki saying very little: “I believe it’s important to play well …

Yoshinobu Yamamoto the next Dodgers ace? Scouts praise his skill, question his durability
1 year ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto the next Dodgers ace? Scouts praise his skill, question his durability

LA Times  

As the center fielder for Team Japan in last spring’s World Baseball Classic, Lars Nootbaar had a unique view of the jaw-dropping four-pitch repertoire of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese right-hander who agreed to a 12-year, $325-million deal with the Dodgers on Thursday. Nootbaar, the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder whose mother is Japanese, marveled at the way Yamamoto’s fastball, which sits …

Ken’s 4 MLB teams under pressure; Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the pitcher everyone wants
1 year, 1 month ago

Ken’s 4 MLB teams under pressure; Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the pitcher everyone wants

New York Times  

This is a digital version of The Windup newsletter. There's a reason so many teams are in on Yoshinobu Yamamoto @JimBowdenGM gives his take on the recently posted Japanese ace 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z6F6LNwIij — MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM November 26, 2023 I’m certainly not trying to say that any team should bank on Yamamoto over Ohtani when it comes to …

Japan’s Sasaki likely to be coveted when available for MLB
1 year, 9 months ago

Japan’s Sasaki likely to be coveted when available for MLB

Associated Press  

MIAMI — If Rōki Sasaki knows the perfect time for him to switch to the major leagues, he’s good at keeping a secret. The 21-year-old right-hander pitches in a U.S. ballpark for the first time Monday night, when he’ll start for Japan in a World Baseball Classic semifinal against Mexico. “He’s going to be a tremendous star in the big …

Japanese stars Ohtani, Sasaki turn Czech players into fans
1 year, 9 months ago

Japanese stars Ohtani, Sasaki turn Czech players into fans

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Players become fans, collect souvenirs, chase autographs and cherish memories — some painful. That’s a common thread running through the World Baseball Classic when opponents face Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani and his Japanese teammates. Something I’ll cherish and never forget.” For Satoria — the Czech pitcher’s first name is pronounced Andre — there’s the memory of …

Leave Japanese phenom Rōki Sasaki out of international draft
2 years, 6 months ago

Leave Japanese phenom Rōki Sasaki out of international draft

LA Times  

Rōki Sasaki, of the Lotte Marines, pitches against the Rakuten Eagles during a Pacific League baseball game in Chiba on July 1. Just 20 years old, Rōki Sasaki could be the best pitcher who won’t be at Dodger Stadium for the All-Star Game on July 19. However, the already modest chances of Sasaki pitching in the major leagues in the …

Roki Sasaki throws 16th perfect game in Japanese big leagues
2 years, 9 months ago

Roki Sasaki throws 16th perfect game in Japanese big leagues

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Roki Sasaki pitched a perfect game with 19 strikeouts, leading the Chiba Lotte Marines over the Orix Buffaloes 6-0 on Sunday in Japan’s Pacific League. “Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about the possibility,” he said of the perfect game. “I figured it would be OK if I gave up a hit, so I just pitched and put my trust …

Japanese baseball star Seiya Suzuki proving he's MLB-ready
3 years, 5 months ago

Japanese baseball star Seiya Suzuki proving he's MLB-ready

LA Times  

Japan’s Selya Suzuki hits a home run during the fifth inning of a 7-6 victory over the United States at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. Seiya Suzuki’s home run in Japan’s 10-inning, 7-6 victory over the United States started close to here, about 25 miles northeast of Yokohama Stadium in Tokyo’s Arakawa ward. If Suzuki’s foundation was established by traditional …

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