Despite the Japanese decision, the Dodgers’ star pitcher made every effort to sign Roki Sasaki.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been recognized as one of the most innovative and successful organizations in Major League Baseball (MLB). From their extensive scouting network to their ability to develop young talent, the Dodgers have built a reputation as a team that isn’t afraid to push boundaries in search of the next big star. In recent years, the Dodgers have made several high-profile acquisitions from Japan, including Kenta Maeda and Shohei Ohtani (who ultimately signed with the Angels). However, their efforts to recruit one of Japan’s most exciting and hyped young pitchers, Roki Sasaki, may be their most ambitious yet.

Roki Sasaki, often compared to baseball legends for his electric arm and potential, is one of the brightest young stars in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). His fastball consistently reaches triple digits, and his dominance on the mound has drawn comparisons to some of the most successful pitchers in MLB history. Despite his enormous potential, Sasaki has not yet made the jump to the major leagues, and his future in MLB remains uncertain. However, there has been significant interest from multiple MLB teams, including the Dodgers, in securing his services once he is eligible to make the leap from Japan to the U.S.

Interestingly, Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers’ long-time ace, played a key role in trying to recruit Sasaki to join the team. Known not only for his dominance on the mound but also for his leadership and respect in the baseball world, Kershaw’s efforts to bring Sasaki into the fold highlight the Dodgers’ ongoing pursuit of top-tier international talent and their commitment to maintaining a competitive advantage.

This article will examine the Dodgers’ pursuit of Roki Sasaki, Clayton Kershaw’s involvement in recruiting him, the Japanese decision regarding Sasaki’s MLB future, and what it could mean for both the Dodgers and the global baseball community.

The Rise of Roki Sasaki in Japan

Before diving into the Dodgers’ pursuit of Sasaki, it’s important to understand just how remarkable the pitcher’s rise has been in Japan. Roki Sasaki was born on November 3, 2001, in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. He was a highly sought-after talent from an early age due to his natural ability and raw power. After an impressive high school career, Sasaki was selected by the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 2019 NPB Draft as the 7th overall pick. Even as a rookie, he immediately gained attention for his fastball, which regularly exceeded 100 mph, and his remarkable composure on the mound.

Sasaki’s 2021 season was nothing short of historic. The 20-year-old hurled a 17-strikeout perfect game in April 2022, becoming the youngest pitcher in NPB history to accomplish the feat and only the 16th in the league’s history. This performance made waves across the baseball world and ignited speculation that Sasaki would eventually make the jump to MLB in search of greater competition and the opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage.

For many MLB scouts and front offices, Sasaki’s combination of unmatched velocity, devastating secondary pitches, and poise made him a top prospect, and teams were eager to begin the process of recruiting him. Although players coming from Japan traditionally take a few years to make the jump to MLB, Sasaki’s potential was so great that it would be a mistake to ignore his future.

The Dodgers’ Pursuit of Sasaki

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a long-standing tradition of scouting and signing top international talent, and their interest in Sasaki was clear from the outset. The Dodgers’ ability to develop players both at the major league level and in their minor league system has been a key factor in their sustained success over the past decade. When Sasaki emerged as a generational talent in Japan, the Dodgers, known for their deep-pocketed ownership and willingness to make bold moves, set their sights on him.

Sasaki’s potential as an MLB pitcher is undeniable. His fastball, which reaches speeds upwards of 102 mph, is complemented by a devastating slider and splitter that often leave batters guessing. His poise on the mound, maturity despite his young age, and overall makeup only added to the allure. If Sasaki were to join the Dodgers, he would be entering an organization known for fostering pitchers who thrive on both the national and international stage. From Clayton Kershaw to Walker Buehler, the Dodgers have a long history of developing aces, and Sasaki could become the next face of their pitching rotation.

The Dodgers also benefit from their infrastructure and resources, including a top-tier development system, an analytics department that has revolutionized pitching, and a winning culture. Sasaki would be joining a competitive environment where he could learn from established stars like Kershaw, and where the team’s pitching coaches could maximize his potential. This combination of talent, resources, and mentorship made the Dodgers an ideal landing spot for the Japanese phenom.

However, despite the Dodgers’ deep interest in Sasaki, their efforts faced stiff competition from other MLB teams, as well as some significant hurdles. Sasaki’s eligibility for MLB free agency would depend on a series of factors, including the timing of his release from his NPB team and his decision on when he wanted to move to the U.S. Additionally, Japanese players typically face significant pressure to remain in their home country, where they can earn lucrative contracts and achieve national hero status.

Clayton Kershaw’s Involvement in Recruiting Sasaki

A key part of the Dodgers’ strategy to recruit Sasaki was the involvement of their star pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, who has spent his entire MLB career with the Dodgers, is one of the most respected pitchers in the league. His remarkable achievements include multiple Cy Young Awards, an NL MVP, and a World Series championship. Kershaw’s reputation both on and off the field has made him a mentor for younger pitchers, and his leadership in the clubhouse is second to none.

Kershaw’s involvement in the recruitment of Roki Sasaki was significant, as he is one of the most influential players in the Dodgers’ organization. According to multiple reports, Kershaw reached out to Sasaki personally to offer encouragement and advice about playing in MLB. In a gesture that further underscored Kershaw’s mentorship, the two pitchers even met in Japan, where Kershaw gave Sasaki an in-person pitch about joining the Dodgers.

Kershaw, who has always expressed admiration for Japanese pitchers, knows firsthand the challenges and rewards of pitching in the major leagues. He understood the significance of Sasaki’s decision, and the impact that joining the Dodgers could have on Sasaki’s career. By reaching out to Sasaki, Kershaw hoped to offer insight into the Dodgers’ culture, the pressure of playing for one of the biggest franchises in baseball, and the support that Sasaki could expect if he were to join the team.

Kershaw’s leadership in this regard also demonstrated the Dodgers’ commitment to recruiting international talent. The team has long been a proponent of developing strong international scouting networks and building relationships with players across the globe. Kershaw’s efforts to bring Sasaki into the fold were a natural extension of the Dodgers’ organizational philosophy, which values both talent and the intangible qualities that make a great team player.

The Japanese Decision and Sasaki’s Future

Despite the Dodgers’ interest, there was a major obstacle standing in the way of Sasaki’s MLB future: his ties to the Chiba Lotte Marines. In Japan, players are traditionally reluctant to leave their home country to pursue careers in the U.S., partly due to loyalty to their NPB teams and the deep cultural significance of baseball in Japan. Sasaki, like many young Japanese players before him, would need to weigh the decision to pursue a career in MLB carefully.

Additionally, under the rules of the NPB’s posting system, players must be posted by their teams to become eligible for MLB teams to negotiate with them. The posting system is a mechanism through which Japanese players are granted permission to leave for MLB after their team has agreed to allow them to negotiate with interested major league teams. While many top Japanese players have successfully made the transition to the U.S. through this system, the timing of Sasaki’s availability is uncertain.

In 2022, Sasaki’s performance continued to elevate his status as one of the top pitching prospects in the world, and speculation grew regarding when he might make the leap to MLB. Despite interest from teams like the Dodgers, Sasaki’s decision to leave Japan was far from a certainty. His home country’s pride in his abilities and the potential for him to remain in Japan, where he could continue to develop into a local legend, made his future unpredictable.

Impact on the Dodgers and Global Baseball

The Dodgers’ pursuit of Sasaki represents the team’s ongoing commitment to maintaining its competitive edge through international scouting and development. Whether or not Sasaki ultimately decides to make the jump to MLB, the Dodgers have made it clear that they will do whatever it takes to land top-tier talent.

The pursuit of Sasaki also has broader implications for global baseball. The rise of international scouting, particularly in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Cuba, has changed the landscape of MLB in recent years. Teams are now able to cast a wider net for talent, and the emphasis on developing international stars is stronger than ever.

Sasaki, if and when he comes to MLB, would add another layer of intrigue to an already competitive league. His arrival could have far-reaching effects not just for the Dodgers but for the MLB’s growing global fan base.