Star Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is set to be officially posted at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings next week, U.S. media reported on Saturday. A 45-day period is anticipated to commence on Tuesday for the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, according to ESPN, citing sources. The winter meetings are scheduled to begin Monday in Dallas. Since Sasaki […]
Star Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is set to be officially posted at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings next week, U.S. media reported on Saturday.
A 45-day period is anticipated to commence on Tuesday for the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, according to ESPN, citing sources. The winter meetings are scheduled to begin Monday in Dallas.
Since Sasaki is under 25, he is categorized as an international amateur by MLB and its union. Consequently, he will only be eligible for a minor league contract.
Roki Sasaki of the Lotte Marines pitches against the SoftBank Hawks in a Pacific League contest at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba, near Tokyo, on May 5, 2023. (Kyodo)
The international amateur signing period is set to begin on January 15.
In early November, the Lotte Marines declared intentions to place Sasaki in the posting system, which is the process of transfer between Nippon Professional Baseball and MLB franchises.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have been mentioned as potential teams interested in the talented but injury-prone pitcher.
This year, Sasaki recorded a career-best 10 wins and five losses with a 2.35 ERA over 18 games, striking out 129 batters in 111 innings.
Sasaki, who contributed to Japan’s victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, holds a 29-15 career record with a 2.10 ERA over four seasons with the Marines. His fastball has been clocked at speeds up to 165 kilometers (102.5 miles) per hour.
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