Roki Sasaki Officially Signs With the Los Angeles Dodgers
Roki Sasaki Is a Dodger
Roki Sasaki is a 23-year-old pitcher from Japan who threw that jaw-dropping 19-strikeout perfect game. He signed a 6 year rookie contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus with the Dodgers. They confirmed it on January 23, 2025, in a press release on their official site, and I think it’s safe to say Dodgers fans are over the moon.
Meet the “Reiwa Monster”
If you haven’t been updated on Japanese baseball, Sasaki’s been a big deal for a while now. He dominated with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), so much so that people started calling him the “Reiwa Monster.” Why is that? Because he delivers a fastball that normally hits triple digits, on top of that he’s got the kind of sharp breaking pitches that make hitters look absolutely ridiculous.
The Contract
Duration: 6 years
Value: TBD – $6.5 million signing bonus
Official Announcement: January 23, 2025
According to ESPN, there might be extra performance bonuses in the mix, but nobody’s dishing out specifics just yet. The always-reliable Jeff Passan chimed in, saying Sasaki passed his physical in Los Angeles last week, clearing the final hurdle to seal the deal.
Why the Dodgers?
Let’s face it, Dodgers have a track record of snagging top international talent. Think of legends like Hideo Nomo, Yu Darvish, and more recently, the buzz around Shohei Ohtani. Sasaki brings the same kind of star power, and MLB.com analysts already predict he’ll fit right into a rotation that isn’t exactly short on talent. One analyst even said, “He’s only 22 and already looks like a veteran,” which is terrifying in the best way possible if you’re an opposing hitter.
Global Excitement
Whenever a standout Japanese player crosses over, it’s a huge deal—especially for fans back home. Expect a surge of Japanese media and new international fans tuning in to watch Sasaki’s every pitch. If all goes well, we might see another wave of “Nomo-mania,” but with a fresh twist.
What Happens Next?
Word is Sasaki should be in Los Angeles any day now to meet everyone and start gearing up for the season. The Dodgers haven’t said exactly when he’ll make his first appearance on the mound, but insiders are betting we’ll see him in Spring Training so he can get a feel for MLB hitters.
In other words, if you’re a Dodgers fan, buckle up—because watching Sasaki unleash that fastball in Dodger Stadium is going to be something else.
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