The Yankees are poised to enter a fierce competition for Japan’s elite pitcher, Roki Sasaki, with heavyweights like the Mets and Dodgers equally invested in landing the 23-year-old. Sasaki, whose talent is already renowned worldwide, is now set to be posted as a free agent.
Former teammate and Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, who recently shared a clubhouse with Roki Sasaki, praised the young pitcher’s remarkable skills, describing him as possessing “everything he needs” to succeed in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Roki Sasaki’s achievements with the Chiba Lotte Marines speak for themselves, boasting a 2.02 ERA across four seasons and racking up 524 strikeouts over 414 innings. His exceptional performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he struck out 11 batters over 7 2/3 innings, further cemented his status as one of the most promising arms coming out of Japan.
Yankees’ interest in Roki Sasaki
The Yankees, in their quest to bolster their pitching rotation, have prioritized scouting Roki Sasaki and have reportedly sent top executives to Japan to watch him in action. Their goal is clear: bring Sasaki to the Bronx. However, the Yankees are far from alone in this pursuit. Keuchel noted that both the Mets and the Dodgers have shown a strong interest, with the Dodgers even rumored to have an inside track due to their connections to other Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish.
What sets Roki Sasaki apart
Keuchel, who spent time with Roki Sasaki in Japan, outlined Sasaki’s rare skill set in detail. On a scouting scale of 20 to 80, Keuchel gave Sasaki’s pitchability a high score of 70, a testament to the pitcher’s adaptability. “He’s got this innate ability to adjust his game,” Keuchel said. He observed that Sasaki’s splitter is especially lethal, calling it “often unhittable.” Additionally, Sasaki’s fastball, which regularly reaches over 100 mph, garnered a score of 70, with the potential to improve as he develops his speed variation on his pitches.
The Yankees’ pitching coaches are likely envisioning how Sasaki’s arsenal of pitches could transform their rotation. His slider, which Keuchel praised for its potential to reach a top grade, could pair exceptionally well with Sasaki’s other weapons and could see him dominate MLB hitters.
While the Yankees and Mets are focused on acquiring Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers are often perceived as favorites in the Sasaki sweepstakes. Keuchel suggested the Dodgers have the advantage of visibility in Japan, where the ‘D’ emblem is widely recognized due to stars like Ohtani and Yamamoto. However, Keuchel believes that Sasaki’s character aligns well with the Yankees’ ethos, saying Sasaki possesses a “plus, plus mentality.”
The Yankees may face steep competition, but Roki Sasaki’s potential impact on their pitching rotation is hard to ignore. The young pitcher is not only committed to his craft but is reportedly also working on his English, signaling his dedication to adjusting to MLB life. “He’s intellectual, always curious and wants to be the best,” Keuchel said. If Sasaki’s MLB transition mirrors his Japanese success, he may soon dominate the league, and the Yankees are hopeful that the Bronx becomes his new home.
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There were reports already last year that they were really more focused for whenever Sasaki would come over then even Yamamoto. If that’s true, did that feeling somehow get to him or his people. Now, does he want to be a 3rd star there it or a third star here to Cole & Judge. Cole & Judge don’t have an ego. If Soto comes back, neither does he, do no one here will care about all the attention he’ll get, and in fact, at times, shield him if he wants down time.