The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching rotation is about to get a big boost. On Friday, coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki announced that he will play for the Dodgers.
The 23-year-old took to Instagram to reveal that he is signing a minor league deal with the organization. Saski’s Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will receive compensation from the MLB franchise.
Saski is the latest Japanese-born superstar to arrive in Los Angeles in the past year. Last winter, superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the team. Ohtani is a designated hitter in 2024 but has already won his third career MVP award.
He plans to return to the pitching field in 2025.
Japan’s Roki Sasaki pitches during a Group B game against the Czech Republic at the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome, Japan, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously said signing Sasaki was considered a “major priority.” Sasaki met with the Dodgers earlier this week.
Saski’s combination of youth and elite talent has made him a coveted prospect.
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However, the Dodgers have long been considered the favorites in the race for a pitcher whose fastball regularly tops 100 mph. He can also throw an impressive split, which helps solidify his potential to be an ace in the hole.
Team Japan’s Roki Sasaki reacts after being ejected in the third inning against Team Mexico during the World Baseball Classic semifinals at loanDepot park on March 20, 2023, in Miami, Fla. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
A long list of MLB clubs sent information about their respective organizations to Saski and his representatives in December during baseball’s winter meetings.
Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines pitches during a game against the Orix Buffaloes in Chiba, near Tokyo, April 10, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
While some of those teams were allowed to meet in person, only three organizations made the short list. By January, the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Dodgers were the final teams to be considered.
The Dodgers’ projected pitching rotation already features Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell also signed with LA earlier this offseason.
