If you are wondering about the next wave of Japanese imports in MLB, Masataka Yoshida and Kodai Senga both have a chance to be great.
Yoshida, who signed with the Boston Red Sox, is a master of the strike zone with some pop and great contact ability; while Senga will give the New York Mets a solid mid-rotation starter.
None of them have the ceiling of Roki Sasaki, though.
Sasaki, a pitcher, has it all: youth, current skill level, future projection, excellent stuff, top-notch command, poise, and international experience.
He has the tools to be not just the best Japanese pitcher in baseball (yes, that would include Ohtani, but Sasaki has that kind of potential), but to be the best hurler in MLB.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote about him (subscription-based).
“He is 21 years old. He averages 100 mph on his fastball. He threw 17 straight perfect innings last year. He wants to play in MLB. And tonight, he can pitch Japan into the WBC finals vs. Team USA,” he tweeted.
He is 21 years old. He averages 100 mph on his fastball. He threw 17 straight perfect innings last year. He wants to play in MLB. And tonight, he can pitch Japan into the WBC finals vs. Team USA.
At ESPN+, meet Roki Sasaki, The Monster of the Reiwa Era: https://t.co/uPLEBRypNW pic.twitter.com/Cj1PwDyejr
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 20, 2023
Sasaki will take the ball for team Japan in the World Baseball Classic semifinals against Mexico, and another ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, will follow him.
In his tweet, Passan included a fragment of his article.
He says that Sasaki has, at worst, a starter kit similar to Jacob deGrom.
At worst.
His ceiling is limitless, as he already has a plus-plus fastball to go with a nasty splitter, slider, and curveball combo.
This kid is amazing, and has already put that talent on display in the WBC.
Tonight, against Mexico, he will get another chance to prove the world what Passan is talking about.
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