Japanese phenom pitcher Roki Sasaki picks Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have secured a major addition to their pitching rotation, as Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki has announced that he will be joining the reigning World Series champions. The 23-year-old phenom revealed on Instagram that he has signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers, with his former team in Japan, the Chiba Lotte Marines, set to receive compensation from the MLB franchise.
Sasaki’s arrival in Los Angeles marks the latest in a string of Japanese-born stars to join the team, following in the footsteps of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ohtani, who exclusively served as a designated hitter in 2024, captured his third MVP trophy and is poised to return to the pitching mound in the upcoming season.
Dodgers’ president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed the team’s eagerness to secure Sasaki, emphasizing that signing the promising pitcher was a top priority. Known for his youth and elite-level talent, Sasaki garnered significant interest from multiple MLB clubs, but the Dodgers emerged as the frontrunners in the race to acquire his services. With a blazing fastball that reaches speeds of 100 mph and a devastating splitter in his arsenal, Sasaki has the potential to become a dominant force in the Dodgers’ rotation.
During the winter meetings in December, numerous teams submitted proposals to Sasaki and his agency, Wasserman, in hopes of landing the coveted pitcher. After narrowing down the options, only three teams remained in contention – the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, and ultimately the Dodgers, who ultimately secured Sasaki’s commitment by January.
The addition of Sasaki bolsters an already formidable pitching rotation for the Dodgers, which includes the likes of Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani, and Clayton Kershaw. The team also recently added two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to their roster earlier in the offseason, further solidifying their pitching depth.
As the Dodgers gear up for the upcoming season, the arrival of Roki Sasaki adds another dynamic element to their championship-caliber roster. With a blend of established veterans and emerging talents, the Dodgers are poised to make a strong push for another title in 2025.
