Japanese Pitching Star Roki Sasaki Meets with Dodgers and Other MLB Teams

The 23-year-old phenom, known for his triple-digit fastball, is expected to sign during the 2025 international signing period.

Roki Sasaki, a standout pitcher from Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines, has reportedly met with six MLB teams, including the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Rangers, and Giants.
Sasaki is eligible for MLB's international signing period beginning January 15, 2025, and is subject to bonus pool restrictions due to his age and experience.
The Dodgers, seen as potential favorites, offer connections to Sasaki through fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom are on their roster.
The San Diego Padres are also making a strong push, leveraging ties such as Yu Darvish, a player Sasaki admires, and Hideo Nomo in their front office.
Sasaki has built a reputation as one of the world's top young pitchers, boasting a 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts over four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.