Exciting New Chapter for Roki Sasaki
Japanese pitching prodigy Roki Sasaki has officially joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he’s ready to embrace American culture—starting with the iconic hamburger. In a recent interview with SportsNetLA, Sasaki expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I haven’t tried any American hamburgers, so I’m really looking forward to eating the best.”
Details of the Signing
The 23-year-old Sasaki signed on as an international free agent, securing a contract that keeps him under the Dodgers’ control for six years. The deal also includes a generous signing bonus of $6.5 million, allowing Sasaki the freedom to indulge in as many burgers as he desires.
Impressive Track Record in Japan
Before making his leap to Major League Baseball (MLB), Sasaki was a dominant force in Nippon Professional Baseball. Over four seasons, he boasted a remarkable 2.10 ERA and amassed an astonishing 505 strikeouts in 394 2/3 innings pitched. His performance made him a highly sought-after talent when the bidding period opened, ultimately leading him to choose the reigning World Series champions.
Dodgers’ Ongoing Japanese Connection
Sasaki is the second Japanese pitcher the Dodgers have signed in consecutive seasons. Last year, the team secured Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed the largest guaranteed contract for a pitcher in MLB history—a staggering 12-year deal worth $325 million. Yamamoto made an immediate impact, finishing his first season with a 7-2 record and a 3.00 ERA over 18 regular season starts.
Aiming for Big League Success
Although Sasaki could have waited two more years to become a free agent and potentially secured a lucrative deal like Yamamoto’s, he opted to pursue his MLB dreams sooner. Sasaki plans to lean on both his fellow Japanese players, including Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, as well as the Dodgers’ coaching staff, to help him navigate his new environment. “There’s just a lot of things I’m not going to know, so I’m going to rely on our coaches and players in terms of just getting to know the team,” he noted.
Building a Star-Studded Rotation
If Sasaki meets the expectations set by the Dodgers, he could become a key component in what might be one of the most formidable pitching rotations in baseball. Ohtani is set to return to the mound after recovering from Tommy John surgery, while two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell has joined the team this offseason. Tyler Glasnow is also slated to return after an injury-shortened 2024 season. With the addition of Sasaki and Yamamoto, the Dodgers could field five starters with ace potential—a rarity in the league.
Looking Ahead to the Season
The Dodgers’ journey toward a potential repeat as World Series champions begins with a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Japan on March 18 and 19. As Sasaki embarks on this new adventure, fans eagerly await to see how this young talent will thrive in the big leagues—and what hamburgers he will try first!
