The San Diego Padres are making a strong push to sign Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation who has captured the attention of Major League Baseball scouts and executives. Sasaki, a phenom for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), has impressed with his remarkable pitching arsenal, including a fastball that touches triple digits and an array of devastating secondary pitches. His combination of raw talent and polished mechanics has made him one of the most highly anticipated international prospects in recent memory.
As Sasaki is subject to the international bonus pool restrictions due to his age and experience, he is eligible to negotiate with MLB teams starting in January 2025, following the opening of the international signing period. With a window to sign him running until January 23, 2025, several teams are in the mix to land the ace. Among the top suitors is the San Diego Padres, who are making a concerted effort to recruit the young star.
Padres general manager A.J. Preller has long prioritized international scouting and recruiting players from the Asian market, and the team’s roster already includes Japanese stars like Yu Darvish and Yuki Matsui. This strong connection to Japan gives the Padres a distinct advantage in the Sasaki sweepstakes. Sasaki is reportedly close with Darvish, which could play a significant role in his decision-making process. In addition, the Padres’ efforts to build a culturally diverse roster, featuring players like Ha-Seong Kim from Korea, further illustrate the organization’s commitment to appealing to international talent.
Manager Mike Shildt expressed confidence in the Padres’ chances of signing Sasaki, stating that the team is “putting a full-court press” on securing his services. Shildt highlighted the Padres’ established relationships within Japan, mentioning their history of successful recruitment, including their previous pursuit of Shohei Ohtani. The Padres have cultivated a reputation for being proactive and effective in the international market, and they are ready to leverage that experience to make Sasaki a Padre.
While the Padres are heavily invested in signing Sasaki, they face competition from other MLB teams, particularly the Los Angeles Dodgers, who also have deep ties to Japan. The Dodgers have a long history of successful Japanese signings, such as Hideo Nomo, Hiroki Kuroda, and recent stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. With both teams vying for Sasaki’s signature, it’s expected that the young pitcher will have several factors to weigh in his decision, including the team’s fit, location, and potential for success in the MLB.
The Padres’ aggressive push for Sasaki is a reflection of their desire to continue building a championship-caliber roster with international talent, and they will be a team to watch as the Sasaki sweepstakes unfold.
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