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Roki Sasaki showing why he is a name to remember

By David Hill

Jun 26, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Baseball sits on the mound prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Baseball sits on the mound prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nippon Professional Baseball has become a viable proving ground for players looking to reach the majors. Between Japanese players that have looked to move on to the next level and players looking to take the next step in their development, NPB has become a breeding ground for a great deal of talent.

Roki Sasaki had already received a great deal of attention from major league teams. There was a time when it seemed that he would explore a move stateside, eschewing NPB altogether to learn his craft in a major league organization. Instead, he filed for the NPB draft, being selected by the Chiba Lotte Marines.

Roki Sasaki proving that the hype is real

That attention primarily came from his impressive fastball. Even though he was in high school, his fastball sat in the upper 90s, even reaching 101 MPH during a tryout for Japan’s U-18 National Team. That velocity is certain to get anyone’s attention, no matter where the player is from.

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He showed that he was much more than just hype last season. Sasaki made his NPB debut at just 19 years old but was able to dominate. He posted a stellar 2.27 ERA and a 1.058 WHiP in his 63.1 innings, striking out 68 batters with just 16 walks. While there were concerns about Sasaki’s command when he was initially drafted, those are starting to go away.

The hype train may just be getting started. Sasaki pitched in a spring exhibition game recently and was able to reach 101.3 MPH with his fastball. That velocity would be impressive at any point in the season for a starter, but the fact that he was able to throw that hard in mid-February at his age makes it all the more incredible.

It will be years before Sasaki is able to come stateside. Players need to put in nine years before they become eligible for international free agency in Japan, and the Marines may not be willing to post him until it gets much closer to that time. But that does not mean that MLB fans should ignore Sasaki until that point.

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Roki Sasaki may not be coming to the majors any time soon. However, with his high octane fastball and potential, he is a name to remember.

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