Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki announced on Instagram that he has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers confirmed the signing during an introductory press conference earlier this week.
Sasaki was posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, earlier this winter. MLB teams heavily pursued him, as he is considered one of the most talented young pitchers in baseball. Sasaki met with eight teams and narrowed his decision down to the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays before ultimately choosing the Dodgers.
Under MLB rules, Sasaki is classified as an international amateur free agent because he is under 25 years old. This limits him to signing a minor league contract with a signing bonus of $6.5 million. He will need six years of MLB service time to qualify for free agency.
The right-hander compiled a 29-15 career record with a 2.10 ERA over four seasons with the Marines and famously pitched a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes in 2022.
Los Angeles Dodger, Roki Sasaki. pic.twitter.com/5f9VxjiJsM
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 23, 2025
255 Seconds of Rōki Sasaki's Stuff from the WBC.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) December 22, 2023
"The Next Big Thing." #RokiTheRocket pic.twitter.com/Mu0ye8iGf3
