Roki Sasaki, a young Japanese pitcher with a blazing fastball, has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This move surprised many observers as Sasaki had the potential to sign with any team in Major League Baseball. However, the Dodgers were ultimately able to secure his services, adding yet another talented young player to their already impressive roster.
The courting of young Japan ese flamethrower Roki Sasaki was one of the few instances that all 30 Major League Baseball teams were on equal footing for prized talent. A time when some of the lower-spending teams had a chance to pick up a promising player and add a little parity to a sport that often saw the wealthiest franchises snatching up the best. The 23-year-old right-hander, who has a fastball that tops 100 mph, joins the defending World Series champions in a move that felt inevitable.
The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays were the other finalists, but as expected, he’s joining Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in LA. The Dodgers didn’t even need to dip into their deep pockets to entice Sasaki to make his baseball home at Chavez Ravine. Because he’s under 25 and does not have six years of service time in Japan, Sasaki is considered an international amateur by MLB’s rules and was limited to a minor league contract with a limited signing bonus.
Baseball MLB Roki Sasaki Los Angeles Dodgers Japan International Players Minor League Contract Shohei Ohtani Yoshinobu Yamamoto
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