Roki Sasaki
 

With all disdain for anointing players too young, this youngster in 85 innings this year in Japan has 124 Ks, only 14 walks, and an ERA of 1.48. He pitched a perfect game and then was perfect through 8 in the next game. I heard an interview about him on NPR and (grain of salt) veteran observers were saying he is very very special. It will be interesting to see what becomes of him. Apparently he is used relatively sparingly in a conscious effort to protect his arm.

My son just came home from over there. He was there for almost 3 years. His favorite team is the Chiba Lotte Marines. He brought me a few things with this young man on them.


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That is a cool disk and 13 strikeouts in a row is amazing no matter what league you are playing in.

Is anyone following this youngster? His 2024 season was not quite as impressive as his surreal prior two seasons with WHIP under 0.8 and off the charts strikeouts. In particular his pinpoint control seems to have deserted him a bit and his walks were way up. He's still only 22.

I sure am. If you look at the modern pickups thread I picked up a few just this month.

I am looking forward to his debut, although it seems to already be a wrap that he will be a Dodger. They have been putting in the work and they know the expansion it will bring to their already massive Japan fan base.

I thought he would be on the way this winter, but now I am leaning toward him staying for one more season based on the rumor mill.

This is a recent pickup and my favorite rc of his visually-

Justin, how do you feel about his dropoff this year?

He concerns me. It seems like he should have taken a step forward this year in terms of innings but he hasn’t. So far he’s topped out at 129 innings, which is a fairly average college workload. Except he’s going on his fourth professional season.

If I were an owner, I would find it very hard to give this guy a $100 million. I don't think it's realistic to expect a guy who pitched 102 innings this year to make 25 starts in MLB in 2025 and I would have a real problem paying someone that kind of money with the expectation they'll begin the season in the minor leagues.

Honestly I think multiple issues are going on. One, I don’t think he’s 100% from the oblique injury and needs additional strength training to prevent additional problems. Something that the MLB would help him with.

The other is more mental, Chiba Lotte has not been very happy since he asked last year to be posted. They delayed and still haven’t made up their mind as to a decision. He has been at odds with the team all season and it’s not the best relationship right now. A unhappy player in an uncomfortable situation is not going to perform at his best.

Sadly, I think Chiba Lotte may hold him another season if they don’t get a lottery payday from MLB. That may very well lead to another season in NPD but give him a chance to fully heal. At this point, him coming may be down to 50/50.

Ohtani played 5 season in Japan, right? It's up to the club?

NPB holds rights until age 25. Prior to that they have to request to leave.

This article has some good explanation on the Roki situation and the posting process of NPB.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/...0the%20Marines.

He's coming to MLB. The next Dodger!

Young man is probably looking to cash in before his arm goes, it would not surprise me at all if his dropoff this year is due to arm trouble. Then again, let's hope he is fine.

He should end up with the Dodgers. Dave Roberts did a good job with Yamamoto, who I thought was going to be a bust after the disaster in Seoul. Probably easier for him to play in LA with Ohtani and Yamamoto taking some of the spotlight off of him.

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/souther...this-offseason

There is some issue with whether teams have the bonus money left to sign him.

I would still be concerned with his innings. He pitched 111 this year and has topped out at 129 innings. Skenes topped out at about the same number his last season in college and then did throw 150 combined innings this year. It's possible he takes a step forward like that. Just would concern me is all.

No big deal- He can ONLY pitch...LOL

Announcement of which team he signs with imminent/

He's going to look great in Mets orange and blue!

Did something just happen? Today's latest I read was Dodgers, Padres or Blue Jays.

No that I know of. Just trying to wish it into existence.

Padres apparently out. One can only guess at his interest in the Blue Jays.

Yeah, it's certainly not for baseball reasons.

Japanese players like trolling Toronto?

https://fansided.com/a-year-later-sh...n-more-painful

As expected, signs with Dodgers.

If there is a salary cap in baseball it isn't very meaningful. The rich always get richer.

No cap, just an escalating luxury tax. In this case, I thought he was signing a minor league deal because he didn't have enough years played in Japan to be a true free agent.

Correct, it's not a big contract like Yamamoto was.

30 career wins in 4 seasons. And no hits in 11 at bats, no threat to Shohei lol. So interesting because none of his possible outcomes -- superstardom, bust, career ending injury, average -- would really be a surprise.

Some info from an article I read about him. A few injuries the last 2 seasons which may not bode well especially since shoulder injuries seem to be more problematic than elbow injuries these days.

"Because he is under 25 and does not have six years of service time in NPB, Sasaki is considered an international amateur by MLB and limited to a minor-league contract subject to the signing pools."

"Los Angeles has up to $5,146,200 available in its international signing bonus pool, though the Dodgers could make trades in the next week to increase the amount by up to 60%."

"Sasaki was 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games last year, striking out 129 hitters in 111 innings during a season limited by shoulder inflammation. He went 7-4 with a 1.78 ERA in 15 starts in 2023, when he had an oblique injury. He has a 29-15 career record with a 2.10 ERA over four seasons with the Marines and pitched a perfect game against Orix in April 2022."

"The Dodgers are planning to use a six-man rotation, which could ease Sasaki’s transition to Major League Baseball,"

Patiently waiting for talent from the Welsh Baseball League to get better so some of the East Coast teams can benefit from dynamite overseas ballplayers. ;)

The Dodgers were the favorites, which of course was denied, so we could have a long dog and pony show that ended up with...him going to the Dodgers.

Couldn't we have saved two months of worthless news items and just cut to the chase?

+1 could not agree more.

I found it humorous how his agent was so offended when everybody knew it was the dodgers.

The Blue Crew has a heck of a potential rotation this year.

And they'll likely still bring Kershaw back, I'd imagine. I'd guess a 6-man rotation to get everyone turns (assuming they are healthy) as that's what they pitch in Japan.

6 guys and that doesn't even count Gonsolin or May. Of course they've had as many as 9 starters on the roster before and not made it through the season without scrambling so we'll see.

Is Glasnow going to be healthy to start the season?