Current World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitch rotation is set to give high lift. On Friday, coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki announced he would play for the Dodgers.
The 23-year-old revealed on Instagram that he is signing a minor league deal with the organization. Saski’s Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will receive compensation from MLB franchise.
Saski is the latest Japanese-born superstar to land 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. It plans to return to the landfill in 2025.
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Japan’s Roki Sasaki throws during their Pool B game against the Czech Republic at the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome, Japan, Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously said signing Sasaki was considered a “top priority.”
The combination of youth and elite-level talent has made Saski a highly sought-after prospect. However, the Dodgers have long been considered the favorites in the race to land a pitcher whose fastball routinely tops 100 mph. He can also throw an impressive splitter, which enhances his potential to be an ace in the pitching rotation.
A long list of MLB clubs submitted information about their organizations to Saski and Wasserman, his agency, in December during the winter meetings. While several teams received face-to-face meetings, only three organizations made the shortlist. By January, Toronto Blue JaysThe San Diego Padres and Dodgers were the last teams to be considered.
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The Dodgers projected pitching rotation already included Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. Blake Snella two-time Cy Young Award winner, also signed with LA earlier this season.
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