One of baseball’s most electrifying pitchers is just 23 years old – none other than Roki Sasaki. He has caused all the chaos in the international signing market. Around seven Major League Baseball teams are in active pursuit of the star after he was posted by Chiba Lotte Mariners – from LA Dodgers to San Diego Padres to Chicago Cubs, and now, even Seattle Mariners.

Born in Iwate Prefecture, the same as Shohei Ohtani, Sasaki’s brilliance was really evident from a young age. But his life wasn’t always about the home runs or the strikeouts. He may be Japan’s brightest star now, but his story of becoming is one of perseverance. Losing his dear ones to Japan’s deadliest natural disasters, his journey has been challenging. You might think that such a tragedy could have shattered his dreams; instead, he created an even stronger foundation.

Who are Roki Sasaki’s parents? What happened to them?

Growing up, Roki Sasaki had loving parents and doting grandparents. But everything changed in just a day. The year was 2011 – a devastating earthquake rocked Japan’s Pacific Coast, changing the course of Sasaki’s life forever. At just nine years of age, Sasaki was in Rikuzentakata when the Great East Japan Earthquake came, sweeping away his father and his grandparents. The aftermath was ugly for the family as Sasaki’s widowed mother and his two brothers struggled. They had to take refuge in a nursing home while navigating their way to build the life back.

By this time, many, let alone a child, would have found it difficult to move on. But not Roki Sasaki. This incident only made him stronger, and his pursuit of baseball never once faltered. It didn’t take long for him to start breaking records, starting from high school itself. Tied to Shohei Ohtani, he threw a 99.4 mph fastball – the fastest pitch in Japanese high school baseball history. Then came 2019. The Chiba Lotte Marines made him their first-round pick in the NPB draft.

Sasaki’s professional career then quickly took off. By 2022, he was a star in the making. That season, he recorded a 2.22 ERA and earned his first NPB All-Star nod. However, that was not the highlight! It was how he threw a perfect game striking out 19 batters, 13 in a row. That feat was unmatched in baseball history.

His story is of talent and resilience. His story teaches everyone that even in the face of great tragedy, greatness can rise.

Does the Japanese ace remember his tragedy?

A tragedy that huge – must be ingrained. Sasaki might not have talked about it recently, but he did in the past. He shared at Zozo Marine Stadium, “It’s been 11 years, but I cannot easily erase the agony and sadness I felt at the time. I’ve been able to dedicate myself to baseball thanks to the support I’ve had. I only have the sense of gratitude to those who supported me.” His words echo a maturity, despite a young age.

Not just that, he even spoke to the younger generation and asked them to cherish the present. “I want them to appreciate and not take for granted the things they have now and the precious people around them.” For Sasaki, speaking and honoring the memory of the disaster is important. “It’s meaningful for me to speak (on the disaster) and get people to remember or spare a thought for it,” he mentioned.

While baseball is Roki Sasaki’s now, his past remains a profound part of who he is. And maybe this is why he is gutsy, and even when the world said he should wait till 25, Roki decided to place a gamble and come in early without even caring about the 9-figure deal. 

Right now, the Japanese phenom needs to decide where he wants his American journey to start. Do you have any speculations? Share with us!