The pitching rotation of the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers is about to get a big boost. On Friday, highly touted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki announced he would play for the Dodgers.
The 23-year-old took to Instagram to reveal that he is signing a minor league contract with the organization. Saski’s Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will receive compensation from the MLB franchise.
Saski is the latest superstar of Japanese descent to arrive in Los Angeles last year. Last winter, superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the team. Ohtani was exclusively a designated hitter in 2024, but won his third career MVP trophy.
He plans to return to the pitching field in 2025.
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Roki Sasaki of Japan pitches during a Pool B game against the Czech Republic during the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome, Japan, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously said signing Sasaki was considered a “major priority.” Sasaki met with the Dodgers earlier this week.
The combination of youth and elite talent has made Saski a coveted prospect.
WHO IS ROKI SASAKI? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE JAPANESE PITCHING SENSATION LINKED TO MLB
However, the Dodgers have long been considered the favorite in the race to land the pitcher whose fastball regularly reaches 100 mph. He can also throw an impressive splitter, which furthers his potential to become an ace in a pitching rotation.
Roki Sasaki of Team Japan reacts after a third-inning out against Team Mexico in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park on March 20, 2023, in Miami, Florida. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
A long list of MLB clubs submitted information about their respective organizations to Saski and his agent in December during baseball’s winter meetings.
Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines throws during a match against the Orix Buffaloes in Chiba, near Tokyo, April 10, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
Although several of these teams were allowed in-person meetings, only three organizations made the shortlist. In January, the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Dodgers were the final teams considered.
The Dodgers’ projected pitching rotation already included Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell also signed with Los Angeles earlier this offseason.
