Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki has made a significant move as the MLB winter meetings are in progress. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Sasaki’s posting has opened a 45-day window that begins on Tuesday and runs through 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23. This allows every MLB team to try to persuade the 23-year-old talent to sign when the international amateur signing period starts on Jan. 15.

Unlock Roki Sasaki's MLB Potential

Amateur Days and Early Interest

Roki Sasaki has been a well-known figure since his amateur days. He once threw a fastball at an astonishing 101 mph, breaking Shohei Ohtani’s record for the hardest fastball by a Japanese high schooler. Despite attracting MLB team interest out of high school, he chose to play in NPB for the Chiba Lotte Marines, who drafted him first overall in 2019.During his amateur years, Sasaki’s talent was evident. His ability to generate such high velocity with his fastball set him apart. This early recognition laid the foundation for his future in baseball.

2020 and Beyond: A Journey of Growth

In 2020, Sasaki took a step back to rest his young arm at the request of his team. It was a strategic decision that showed his commitment to his long-term career. In 2021, he emerged as one of the top pitchers in Japan’s top league, breaking out onto the national scene.The following year, he solidified his position as a game-changing force. He threw a perfect game and retired an incredible 52 consecutive batters at one point. However, turning 21 years old brought new challenges. In 2023, he pitched for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, starting the team’s semifinal game against Mexico. He dominated for 3 2/3 innings until a few soft hits and a three-run blast affected his performance.Back in NPB in 2023 and 2024, he continued to excel but faced health issues. He threw a total of 202 innings across these two seasons, showing his durability despite the challenges.

2024 Season: Velocity and Pitching

In 2024, Sasaki’s pitching faced some setbacks. Although he logged 111 innings with a 2.35 ERA, his stuff was noticeably down. His fastball averaged 1.9 mph slower than in 2023. He also missed a series of starts due to an unspecified arm issue, which likely contributed to the reduced velocity.However, when it mattered, he was at his best. In his last outing of the year in the playoffs, he tossed eight shutout frames with a masterful nine-strikeout performance.Sasaki throws three pitches - a four-seam fastball, a splitter, and a slider. He used to throw a curveball but has abandoned it in recent seasons. In 2024, he threw the heater just under half the time, the splitter around 28%, and the slider 25%. This represented the highest slider usage of his NPB career. During his dominant 2022, he was mostly fastball/splitter, around 90% of the time. Once he comes to the MLB, the slider is expected to become an even more crucial weapon against right-handed hitters. Despite there being few big-league pitchers who throw a splitter this frequently, Sasaki’s unique pitch combination gives him an edge.