Dodger Set To Secure NPB Top Ranking Hurler in Stunning Move
Baseball observers are predicting that Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki could make his way to the Los Angeles Dodgers if he is posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. Sasaki, 23, is expected to move to MLB by the 2025 season, potentially joining fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Los Angeles, according to ESPN.
Sasaki, who gained global recognition with a perfect game featuring 19 strikeouts, as well as an eight-inning perfect performance with 14 strikeouts in 2022, is considered one of the most coveted players on the market.
Originally from Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture, Sasaki reportedly turned down a contract extension offer from the Chiba Lotte Marines earlier this week. Over four seasons in the NPB, Sasaki has posted a 2.02 earned run average (ERA) with 524 strikeouts in 414 2/3 innings.
While the possibility of Sasaki joining the Dodgers exists, some scouts believe he could start his MLB career in a smaller market. Additionally, there is uncertainty over whether the NPB will post Sasaki this offseason, as doing so may not be in their best interest. Under MLB’s posting system, players under 25 with fewer than six seasons of professional experience are subject to international bonus pool restrictions, which could impact the timing of his move.
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