The Roki Sasaki off-season shenanigans have everyone in a chokehold, questioning where this Japanese phenom is going to sign. No one has any clue this time given money isn’t the deciding factor since Sasaki is just 23 years old and subject to an international signing bonus. The playing field is surprisingly even, and although 20 teams did jump on the bandwagon for it, now seven are in serious pursuit. The LA Dodgers, in fact, made a bold move by relocating $1.5 million to ensure the team has what they need to clinch Sasaki.

However, while the San Diego Padres, the LA Dodgers, and more are continuing their pursuit of Roki Sasaki, a different storyline has unfolded. Under the radar, enters Shontaro Morri—a talented two-way Japanese high school prospect set to make a splash in Major League Baseball. According to Yakyu Cosmopolitan, Morii, inspired by Rintaro Sasaki’s decision to bypass NPB, is set to ink a deal with the Oakland Athletics. Now, if this deal is done, his signing bonus would be a reported $1.5 million, setting a new record for what Japanese amateurs get outside of NPB.

Now, Morii’s talent has always spoken volumes; standing at 6 feet 1 inch and 181 pounds, the high school junior smashed 45 home runs in three seasons. Shontaro has since earned the rep of a powerful shortstop. But his skills don’t stop there; on the mound, he boasts a four-pitch arsenal—a fastball that reaches 92 mph, along with a curveball, slider, and forkball.

So, while Sasakii’s sweepstakes have right now taken center stage, Morii’s journey is quietly entering MLB with the Oakland Athletics, showcasing how young Japanese stars are looking for new opportunities far from their homes.

Roki Sasaki rules out the New York Yankees and Mets

Roki Sasaki is just on the brink of his MLB debut. And while no news of where he is choosing is out yet, we know whom he is not! According to reports from the Post and ESPN, teams like the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the Chicago Cubs, the San Francisco Giants, and the Texas Rangers are ruled out by the player. There are three teams in the race: the LA Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Derek Levandowski, the host of Pinstripes Territory, recently weighed in on where Sasaki would eventually sign: “My hunch is that he signs with LA, that he wants to be part of that Shohei [Ohtani] and Yamamoto three-headed monster. I wouldn’t blame him for that.” However, he added that he feels international talent should spread out the teams a little. “I think one team, because of where they play, compiling all those stars in one spot could be an unfair thing, an unfair way to structure the league,” mentioned Levandowski.

However, while Levandowski’s not wrong, the LA Dodgers simply make sense for the 23-year-old. Los Angeles offers him the proximity to Japan. Plus, they already have a winning formula and culture that values international talent. Sasaki would want to have a strong championship-worthy team, so, for him, the Dodgers would be hard to pass by.

Where do you think Roki Sasaki will ultimately sign—the Dodgers, the Padres, or some other team? Let us know in the comments below.