In Japan’s baseball scene, Roki Sasaki might be gaining attention as a top-notch pitcher; however, the MLB world still has doubts about labeling him as the pitching prospect of all time. Instead, many evaluators argue that Paul Skenes holds that title. While Sasaki’s talent is undeniable, his limited professional workload, durability concerns, and lack of exposure to top-tier competition make it difficult to rank him above Skenes, who has already dominated at multiple levels.

He consistently throws fastballs at speeds of 101-102 mph while his splitter is renowned as one of the nastiest pitches to hit globally as it vanishes right before reaching the plate. His flawless game, in 2022 Nippon Professional Baseball where he struck out 19 batters without letting any opponent reach base – a performance that etched itself as one of the greatest in league history. With his speed on the mound and command paired with secondary pitches; he truly stands out as a rare talent. However, a pitcher’s potential isn’t solely determined by talent. Factors such as endurance, experience, and consistent performance also play a role.

Is Roki Sasaki the best pitching prospect ever?

MLB.com recently X post asked the fans if they consider Roki Sasaki to be the best pitching prospect in history. “Is Roki Sasaki the best pitching prospect EVER? Sasaki, Paul Skenes, Shohei Ohtani, and Stephen Strasburg all have cases to be MLB’s best pitching prospect ever … but who would you take if you had to choose just one?”

The biggest knock on Sasaki is his limited innings. Chiba Lotte has carefully managed his usage, never allowing him to throw more than 129.1 innings in a season. By comparison, past elite pitching prospects like Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and even Shohei Ohtani had significantly larger workloads before transitioning to MLB.

Paul Skenes, on the other hand, checks nearly every box a scout looks for in a generational pitching prospect. At LSU he achieved 209 strikeouts in 122.2 Innings as he guided his team towards securing a College World Series championship. His fastball that exceeded 100 mph combined with a slider and a developing changeup proved much for batters across various levels. In contrast with Sasaki, Skenes has already proven himself against top-tier opponents ranging from the competition in the SEC to seasoned hitters in the minor leagues.

Sasaki’s ceiling is incredibly high, but the unknowns surrounding his workload and ability to adjust to MLB keep him from surpassing Skenes in the eyes of most fans. Until Sasaki proves himself over a full major league season, the title of best pitching prospect belongs to Paul Skenes.

MLB fans weigh in- Who’s the better prospect?

The commenter dismisses the idea that Roki Sasaki is the greatest pitching prospect ever, arguing that the hype surrounding him pales in comparison to at least a dozen others in the past decade. With a tone that blends disbelief and amusement, they imply that prospects like Stephen Strasburg, Shohei Ohtani, and Paul Skenes generated far more buzz when they emerged. By using a laughing emoji, they mock the claim outright as if ranking Sasaki at the top isn’t just wrong—but laughably so.

One user, while acknowledging the potential for recency bias, firmly believes that Paul Skenes deserves the title of best pitching prospect. They argue that Skenes entered the draft as a generational talent, and his rapid ascent through the minors—culminating in an All-Star start within his first year—demonstrates his exceptional ability. Moreover, his top-5 finish in the Cy Young voting further solidifies his case, proving that Skenes has already made a significant impact at the major league level, something few pitching prospects can claim.

The fan argues that Paul Skenes was by far the most hyped pitching prospect in recent memory, with a level of attention and anticipation that surpassed any other. While acknowledging that there are plenty of talented prospects out there the sheer volume of eyes on Skenes—starting from his dominance at LSU to his immediate success in the minors and MLB—set him apart from the rest. The hype surrounding Skenes was on an entirely different level, making him the most highly anticipated pitcher in years.

Another enthusiast suggested both Stephen Strasburg and Paul Skenes be far more highly touted as pitching prospects compared to Roki Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani. While both are undoubtedly talented, the hype surrounding Strasburg and Skenes was on a completely different scale. Strasburg’s meteoric rise to the majors after being drafted No. 1 overall and Skenes’ overwhelming dominance at Louisiana State University created unprecedented levels of anticipation.

Another comment asserts that Paul Skenes and Stephen Strasburg are clearly more highly regarded than Roki Sasaki, drawing a stark comparison between their hype and impact. However, they humorously note that since Sasaki is now with the Dodgers—one of the most successful and well-equipped teams—he is likely to get a “free” World Series ring. The underlying tone suggests that Sasaki’s potential success in a high-powered organization like the Dodgers could inflate his legacy, implying that he might benefit from the team’s strength rather than solely his performance.

Ultimately, the debate over the top pitching prospect remains subjective, with each player bringing unique qualities to the table. Sasaki’s future performance in the MLB will reveal if he can live up to the immense potential, and whether he can make a lasting impact beyond the hype.