The reigning World Collection champion Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching rotation is about to get an enormous raise. On Friday, coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki introduced he’ll play for the Dodgers.
The 23-year-old took to Instagram to disclose he’s inking a minor league contract with the group. Saski’s Japanese group, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will obtain compensation from the MLB franchise.
Saski is the most recent Japanese-born famous person to land in Los Angeles prior to now 12 months. Final winter, superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the group. Ohtani was solely a chosen hitter in 2024 however received his third profession MVP trophy.
He plans to return to the pitching mound in 2025.
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Roki Sasaki of Japan pitches throughout a Pool B recreation towards the Czech Republic on the World Baseball Traditional on the Tokyo Dome, Japan, March 11, 2023. (AP Photograph/Eugene Hoshiko)
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman beforehand mentioned signing Sasaki was thought-about a “main precedence.” Sasaki met with the Dodgers earlier this week.
The mix of youth and elite expertise made Saski a coveted prospect.
WHO IS RŌKI SASAKI? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE JAPANESE PITCHING SENSATION BOUND FOR MLB
Nevertheless, the Dodgers have been lengthy thought-about the favorites within the race to land the pitcher whose fastball routinely reaches 100 mph. He can even throw a formidable splitter, which bolsters his potential to be an ace in a pitching rotation.
Roki Sasaki of Staff Japan reacts after an out within the third inning towards Staff Mexico throughout the World Baseball Traditional semifinals at loanDepot park March 20, 2023, in Miami, Fla. (Eric Espada/Getty Pictures)
A protracted listing of MLB golf equipment submitted details about their respective organizations to Saski and his agent in December throughout baseball’s winter conferences.
Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines pitches throughout a recreation towards the Orix Buffaloes in Chiba, close to Tokyo, April 10, 2022. (Kyodo Information by way of AP, File)
Whereas a number of of these groups have been granted in-person conferences, solely three organizations made the quick listing. By January, the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Dodgers have been the ultimate groups into consideration.
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The Dodgers’ projected pitching rotation already featured Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Younger Award winner, additionally signed with LA earlier this offseason.
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