The Athletic reports that the Dodgers will meet with Roki Sasaki a second time.

As one of the most highly anticipated talents in the world of baseball, Roki Sasaki, the Japanese pitching prodigy, continues to make waves not only in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) but also in the Major League Baseball (MLB) landscape. Sasaki’s impressive performances with the Chiba Lotte Marines have earned him comparisons to some of the game’s best pitchers, and his potential move to MLB is one of the biggest storylines in international baseball.

The Athletic recently reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to meet with Sasaki for a second time, underscoring the team’s strong interest in bringing the young star to their already stacked pitching rotation. This development is significant not only because of Sasaki’s talent but also because it signals a larger trend within MLB: the growing importance of international scouting and the pursuit of elite talent from countries like Japan.

In this article, we will dive into what the Dodgers’ second meeting with Sasaki could mean for the team, for MLB, and for the future of the sport, as well as the implications of his decision and what it could mean for the world of baseball as a whole.

The Dodgers and Roki Sasaki: A Relationship Built on Trust

The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to scouting and signing international talent, especially from Japan. In recent years, the team has brought in several high-profile Japanese players, including Kenta Maeda and Yu Darvish, who both played key roles in the Dodgers’ pitching success. As such, the Dodgers are no strangers to navigating the complexities of recruiting Japanese players to MLB.

The Dodgers’ interest in Sasaki isn’t a surprise. As a team that consistently boasts one of the deepest and most successful pitching rotations in the MLB, the Dodgers are always looking for ways to strengthen their staff, and Sasaki, with his impressive fastball and slider combination, is an ideal fit for their system.

The first meeting between Sasaki and the Dodgers likely set the tone for this ongoing recruitment effort. During that initial interaction, the Dodgers would have not only introduced Sasaki to their baseball operations team and coaching staff but also highlighted their team culture, pitching development programs, and long-term goals. The fact that Sasaki is meeting with the Dodgers a second time speaks to the mutual respect and interest between both parties. This second round of discussions will likely delve deeper into the specifics of a potential contract, team fit, and how the Dodgers would utilize Sasaki’s talent in their rotation.

In addition to baseball considerations, the Dodgers have the unique advantage of being a world-renowned franchise, with a rich history, a large fanbase, and a reputation for supporting international players. For a player like Sasaki, whose international potential is sky-high, the appeal of playing for a successful and globally recognized organization like the Dodgers cannot be understated.

Sasaki’s Impressive Career and MLB Readiness

Before delving deeper into the implications of his potential move, it’s important to consider what makes Roki Sasaki so special. At just 22 years old, Sasaki has already proven to be one of the most talented pitchers in the world. He is a rare talent, combining electric velocity with impeccable control and a mix of devastating secondary pitches. His fastball routinely hits the triple digits, touching as high as 102 mph, making him one of the hardest throwers in NPB and, by extension, in global baseball.

Sasaki is also known for his remarkable ability to generate strikeouts. In 2021, he made headlines by throwing a perfect game—an achievement that hadn’t been seen in Japan’s top league in over 28 years. Over the course of the season, Sasaki posted incredible strikeout rates, proving that his stuff isn’t just fast but also very effective at getting swings and misses from batters.

But it’s not just his velocity that sets Sasaki apart—it’s also his pitch command. His fastball can generate movement on both sides of the plate, and his breaking pitches (such as his slider and splitter) can keep hitters guessing. This combination of velocity and movement, combined with his poise and maturity on the mound, has made Sasaki an attractive target for MLB teams looking for the next great pitcher.

There are also significant comparisons to be made between Sasaki and other Japanese pitchers who have made the leap to MLB in recent years. Shohei Ohtani, for example, was a multi-faceted pitcher and hitter who captured the world’s attention when he moved to the MLB, while Yu Darvish was known for his mastery of breaking balls and the way he kept batters off-balance. Sasaki’s ability to mimic the success of those MLB stars has made his future in the U.S. even more tantalizing.

Why the Dodgers Are So Interested in Sasaki

The Dodgers are a team that has continually demonstrated a commitment to sustaining excellence through their deep farm system and intelligent player development programs. The franchise is not just looking to add talent—they are looking for players who fit seamlessly into their championship window. In this sense, Sasaki represents not just a star of the future, but an opportunity to bolster the team’s rotation for years to come.

As of now, the Dodgers are led by a collection of established pitchers, including Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urías. However, with Kershaw nearing the end of his career and other members of the pitching staff potentially facing injury or performance concerns, adding a generational talent like Sasaki could help ensure that the Dodgers remain a perennial contender for World Series titles. Sasaki would complement their existing rotation, giving them a dominant young arm for the future.

Moreover, the Dodgers have long been known for their ability to develop pitchers. They have turned several relatively unknown talents into cy-young-caliber pitchers, and with their state-of-the-art player development infrastructure, Sasaki would be in the best possible environment to refine his game and transition smoothly to MLB. The Dodgers’ pitching staff is managed by some of the best minds in baseball, and the opportunity to work with them would be incredibly appealing to Sasaki, who is looking to maximize his potential.

The Dodgers’ success in recruiting international players is also key. The franchise has built a reputation for bringing in talent from around the world, and that strong network could play a crucial role in bringing Sasaki to Los Angeles. From Kenta Maeda to Akiyoshi to Yu Darvish, the Dodgers have demonstrated that they know how to bring the best out of international players and integrate them into the team’s culture.

The MLB Market and Sasaki’s Decision

While the Dodgers are undoubtedly a frontrunner for Sasaki’s signature, there will be other teams involved in the recruitment process. As one of the most anticipated international prospects, Sasaki is likely to have several suitors, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants—teams that are all consistently involved in the pursuit of top-tier pitching talent.

Sasaki’s decision to leave Japan and join an MLB team is about more than just money. He will have to consider the team culture, the fit of the roster, the coaching staff, and his long-term goals in the major leagues. With his talent, Sasaki has the opportunity to be an immediate impact player in MLB, but he will need to make sure that the organization he chooses is the right fit for his development.

The financial side of Sasaki’s decision will undoubtedly play a role as well. MLB teams are prepared to offer lucrative contracts to entice Sasaki to cross the Pacific. The posting fee alone, which could exceed $50 million, will be a significant factor in negotiations. Additionally, Sasaki will likely receive a multi-year contract that could be worth upwards of $100 million—a huge investment for whichever team lands him.

However, despite the financial incentives, Sasaki’s main goal will likely be to find a team that gives him the best chance to thrive both on the mound and in terms of his personal development. The Dodgers, with their history of international success and focus on player development, offer Sasaki the perfect platform to achieve those goals.

What a Sasaki Signing Means for MLB and the Dodgers

If Roki Sasaki does indeed sign with the Dodgers, the ripple effect throughout baseball will be substantial. For one, it would signal a new era in the game’s growing global landscape. The success of Japanese players in MLB has already opened doors for other international stars, and Sasaki’s arrival would further strengthen MLB’s international pipeline.

For the Dodgers, signing Sasaki would give them a dynamic young pitcher with an incredibly high ceiling, making them even more dangerous in their quest for another World Series championship. It could solidify the Dodgers’ standing as a powerhouse team that consistently builds through both domestic and international scouting and development.