Roki Sasaki Chooses Dodgers: Japanese Pitching Phenom Heads To MLB

Roki Sasaki, one of Japan’s most exciting baseball talents, has officially announced he’s joining Major League Baseball and has picked the Los Angeles Dodgers as his new team. Sasaki, a 23-year-old pitching phenom, revealed the news on Instagram, calling the decision “very difficult” but expressing confidence in his choice: “I’ll do my best to make this the right decision when I look back on my career.”

This signing ends months of anticipation, with the Dodgers beating out the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres, two other teams that desperately wanted Sasaki on their roster. The Dodgers’ winning combination of success, international appeal, and a star-studded lineup made them an irresistible choice.

The Dodgers Land Another Star

The Dodgers were always considered favorites to land Sasaki, but the competition was fierce. The Padres were banking on the presence of Yu Darvish, one of Sasaki’s idols, to sway him. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays made a bold move, trading for extra international bonus money to sweeten their offer.

None of it worked. The Dodgers, fresh off a World Series win, have a reputation for developing top-tier talent and already boast an impressive roster that includes Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Adding Sasaki to the mix solidifies their status as one of the most dominant teams in baseball.

Why the Dodgers?

For Sasaki, the Dodgers weren’t just a team—they were a perfect fit. The organization has a long history of winning, with two World Series titles and five 100-win seasons over the past eight years. They’re also known for being one of the best teams at developing pitchers, which is a big draw for someone like Sasaki, who’s still refining his craft.

The Dodgers’ strong connection to Japan also played a role. Last year, they brought in Ohtani and Yamamoto, two of the biggest Japanese names in baseball. For Sasaki, it probably felt like joining a family—a place where he’d be supported both on and off the field.

The Dodgers’ Stacked Rotation

Sasaki joins a pitching staff that’s nothing short of intimidating. Ohtani is set to return to two-way play in 2025, and Tyler Glasnow and Yamamoto are back as well. The Dodgers also signed Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, to a five-year, $182 million contract. Even the legendary Clayton Kershaw might make a comeback later in the season.

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With so many options, the Dodgers could use a six-man rotation, which would help Sasaki ease into MLB’s demanding schedule. Adjusting to the longer season and facing tougher competition will be a challenge, but the Dodgers seem prepared to support him every step of the way.

Sasaki’s Contract: Why He’s Earning Less (For Now)

Despite being one of the most hyped players to enter MLB, Sasaki isn’t signing the kind of massive free-agent deal you might expect. Because of MLB rules for players under 25 with less than six years of professional experience, Sasaki has to start on what’s essentially a minor league contract.

Here’s what that means:

He’ll earn close to the MLB minimum salary for the first few seasons.
He can’t become a free agent until he’s accrued six years of MLB service time.
His signing bonus is capped by each team’s international bonus pool.

The Dodgers were working with a smaller budget than some of their rivals but made trades to increase their bonus pool. They ultimately offered Sasaki $6.5 million, which was less than the Blue Jays’ reported offer of $8.5 million. Even so, Sasaki chose the Dodgers, showing that money wasn’t the only factor in his decision.

Heartbreak for the Padres and Blue Jays

This decision hits hard for both the Padres and the Blue Jays. San Diego had hoped Sasaki would choose them, especially with Darvish on their roster and the team’s close ties to Japan. But financial constraints and organizational challenges proved too much to overcome.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have had a string of near-misses when it comes to signing big-name players. They were finalists for Shohei Ohtani last offseason but lost him to the Dodgers. They also came up short in pursuits of Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Losing Sasaki is just the latest disappointment.

The Rise of Roki Sasaki

So, who is Roki Sasaki, and why is everyone so excited about him?

Sasaki has been turning heads since high school, where he dominated at Summer Koshien, Japan’s biggest high school baseball tournament. He was drafted first overall in 2019 by the Chiba Lotte Marines, and his career took off from there.

Here are just a few of his incredible achievements:

In 2022, he pitched a perfect game, striking out 13 batters in a row—a record in Japan’s professional league.
In four seasons with the Marines, he posted a stunning 2.10 ERA and struck out 505 batters in just under 400 innings.
He was a key player for Japan’s championship-winning team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, sharing the spotlight with stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish.

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Sasaki’s pitching arsenal is what sets him apart. His fastball regularly hits 100 mph, his splitter is considered one of the best in the world, and his slider adds another layer of complexity to his game. In short, he’s the kind of pitcher who can dominate at any level.

Source: Japanese pitching star Roki Sasaki says he’s joining Dodgers

Challenges Ahead

Of course, Sasaki isn’t a perfect player—at least, not yet. Last year, his fastball velocity dipped slightly, and he dealt with some shoulder fatigue, raising concerns about how he’ll handle MLB’s longer and more physically demanding season. His command, while solid, could also use some fine-tuning.

But these are small issues for a player with such immense potential. Many scouts believe Sasaki could become an annual contender for the Cy Young Award, which is given to MLB’s best pitcher. With the right guidance, he has all the tools to reach that level.

Roki Sasaki Chooses Dodgers: Japanese Pitching Phenom Heads to MLB

The Road to MLB

Sasaki’s journey to MLB wasn’t easy. When he was finally posted in December 2024, more than 20 teams expressed interest. They pitched him with everything from videos and letters to detailed presentations. Sasaki eventually narrowed his options to eight teams, including the Dodgers, Padres, Blue Jays, Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Rangers, and Giants.

Earlier this week, he held final meetings with the Dodgers, Padres, and Blue Jays before making his choice. The timing was tight—he had to pick a team before the international signing period ended—but in the end, the Dodgers won out.

A Bright Future in L.A.

For the Dodgers, landing Sasaki is a huge win. It strengthens an already elite pitching staff and reinforces their reputation as a destination for the world’s best players. For Sasaki, it’s a chance to challenge himself at the highest level of baseball while being part of a team that understands his unique journey.

As Sasaki begins this new chapter, one thing is clear: the baseball world will be watching. And if his past performance is any indication, he’s ready to shine on the biggest stage.