The MLB season is just around the corner, and with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training this week, all eyes are on Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki, whose highly anticipated debut is approaching.
Sasaki, a 23-year-old prodigy from Japan, has been making waves since his breakout year in 2021 in the Japan Professional Baseball League (JPPL). As a 19-year-old, he posted a 1.84 ERA over 16 starts.
He also shined in the World Baseball Classic, where Japan took home the title with an incredible rotation featuring Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Now, all three pitchers are teammates on the Dodgers, fresh off their World Series victory in 2024.
Since Sasaki is under 25, he enters the MLB as an amateur international free agent, meaning the Dodgers have six years of club control and a rookie contract for him, including a $6.5 million signing bonus.
The anticipation surrounding his arrival has already been palpable, with fans buzzing after the Dodgers posted a four-word reaction to a video of Sasaki entering their spring training facility.
“All smiles for Roki.” Dodgers posted.
Dodgers fans were filled with excitement as Sasaki is widely regarded as one of the best young pitchers in the world.
“goat fr.” One fan posted.
“That’s my ROY.” Another fan said.
“[soon] best pitcher in the world!” A fan boldly predicted.
One more fan said, “Future goat.”
Los Angeles Dodgers SP Roki Sasaki
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Over his career in Japan, Sasaki pitched over 400 innings, posting a remarkable 2.02 ERA and a 30-15 record, while maintaining a 0.883 WHIP.
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, potentially the best player in the world, played a “pivotal” role in the pursuit of Sasaki this offseason. Reports indicate that Ohtani was essentially “driving the bus” in Los Angeles’ efforts to land their newest star pitcher.
