MLB fans taken by outstanding 21-year-old Roki Sasaki, call for the rising Japanese star to sign with their favorite team: "Future Yankee"
Roki Sasaki might be the best pitcher that you have never heard of. For the first time ever, fans are getting a look at the young Japanese star as he represents his country at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
In a recent Twitter post, Jeff Passan of ESPN publicized Sasaki to his primarily American following. Immediately, fans began sparring online over which team would be lucky enough to sign Sasaki.
He is 21 years old. He averages 100 mph on his fastball. He threw 17 straight perfect innings last year. He wants to play in MLB. And tonight, he can pitch Japan into the WBC finals vs. Team USA.
At ESPN+, meet Roki Sasaki, The Monster of the Reiwa Era: es.pn/3yR3gEN https://t.co/Cj1PwDyejr
"He is 21 years old. He averages 100 mph on his fastball. He threw 17 straight perfect innings last year. He wants to play in MLB. And tonight, he can pitch Japan into the WBC finals vs. Team USA. At ESPN+, meet Roki Sasaki, The Monster of the Reiwa Era:" - Jeff Passan
Fans of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, two of the wealthiest teams in baseball, led the way in calling for Sasaki to sign with their team when he decides to enter the MLB.
@JeffPassan Future Yankee
@JeffPassan hes a red sox along with shohei
Other fans alluded to the New York Mets as a future destination for Roki Sasaki. Mets owner Steve Cohen will pay his rotation well over $100 million this season and likely has reserves to execute some big signings down the road.
@JeffPassan Met
@JeffPassan https://t.co/QOxGzpN8uC
Due to a posting system in place, Japanese players are subject to international bonus pool money restrictions unless they are 25 years old and have played professional baseball for at least five years. This means that Sasaki won't be MLB-eligible until 2026.
@JeffPassan Roki Sasaki literally can not be from this planet cause wtf hes just too good 💀
@JeffPassan dudes a beast
@JeffPassan He’s a talented kid
Like his teammate Shohei Ohtani, Sasaki hails from Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan. Born in 2001, Sasaki made his Nippon Pro Baseball debut in 2021 for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB's Pacific League. At the age of 21, Roki Sasaki has shown early signs of being a dominant pitcher who can withstand the world-class bats in the MLB.
With Japan set to face off against Mexico in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, Sasaki looks ready to start on the mound for his home nation. So far, Sasaki has pitched 3.2 innings in the tournament and is yet to give up a run.
Over two NPB seasons, the 6'4" Roki Sasaki has an ERA of just 1.95 in about 212 innings, striking out 260. His pitching arsenal features a fastball that regularly exceeds 100 miles per hour. He is also a devastating splitter.
Roki Sasaki has the weight of his nation on his shoulders
Although Japan are seen as one of the best baseball teams in the entire world, they will face stiff competition in their WBC semifinal against Mexico. The Mexicans, featuring many MLB names, have upset Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to get to this point. Action will kick off at 7 pm at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.
Sasaki will have an important role to play for Japan if they are to progress to the final.