Juan Soto may be the most prevalent name in the off-season, but internationally, the one who’s made the roars is Roki Sasaki, aka, ‘the monster of the reiwa era.’ Sasaki is a 23-year-old Japanese flamethrower, playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Roki first came to attention in international waters when he threw a 19-strikeout game in 2022. However, it’s no secret that he has been wanting to come to MLB for a while now. But the real kicker is: Can he make it?

Here’s the real challenge for Roki Sasaki – the Japanese pitcher is just 23, which means he will be signing an amateur contract under MLB’s international signing pool regulations. Unlike Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined MLB at 25 and got a whopping $325 million deal. Sasaki would be limited to $7 million and forego hundreds of dollars, and so would his current team Mariners. Marlin president David Samson claimed he thinks Sasaki wants to follow in the footsteps of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto; however, Lance Brozdowski thinks Sasaki is better than the latter!

Lance Brozdowski claims Sasaki surpasses Yamamoto’s pitching

In a recent episode of Foul Territory, Lance Brozdowski, player development analyst, made a bold statement, “I think he [Sasaki] is a better pitcher than Yamamoto.” According to him, the moment Sasaki steps into MLB, his splitter will be the most distinct one. And well, Sasaki does have the bigger frame and the higher velocity; that wicked splitter sure outshines Yamamoto, but it’s not just the firepower that matters.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto came into MLB as a more well-rounded player, a complete package. But Roki Sasaki still needs some fixing to do to consistently perform like the big leaguers. Moreover, there is a serious concern about his durability this season. The fastball he is known for has lost a minor power and missed a few starts due to his arm. This is not ideal for someone who is known to throw 100 mph, especially because flamethrowers like him often face injuries.

So, keeping Sasaki healthy can be a challenge for teams, and right now, he might benefit more from staying in Japan. If he comes over, fans might need to wait to see his performance really peak through. 

Are the Dodgers in line to invite Roki Sasaki?

The Los Angeles Dodgers already have two Japanese powerhouses, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and now, they might seek to add another. Rumors are swirling that the Dodgers are planning to sign the 23-year-old sensation from Japan, Roki Sasaki. ESPN insider Jorge Castillo said the Dodgers are clear frontrunners on Baseball Tonight, “It’s no secret that Andrew Friedman wants Roki Sasaki.” According to him, Sasaki’s age, and the fact that signing him will cost the Dodgers way less, makes them willing to jump for the deal.

Plus, there is a rather fascinating angle–the Japanese player’s mindset for teaming up in the US has kind of shifted. After the World Baseball Classic victory, players such as Sasaki seem to be more open to joining the same MLB team. For Castillo, that Japanese WBC win helped break down that barrier. And given Ohtani’s deferred contract, the Dodgers have the financial freedom to make an excellent offer.

Additionally, the team has a situation at present where Ohtani is just out of surgery. Doctors may think Shohei Ohtani might not be ready enough for spring training, some even questioned if he could make it during the initial regular season. So, having another pitching star would work well for the Dodgers. Do you think Roki Sasaki can make it to MLB and land up in LA Dodgers? Let us know below.