In a sensational development sure to reverberate throughout baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers have formally signed Roki Sasaki, the globe’s No. 1-ranked international prospect, citing “two big reasons” behind his decision to join the storied franchise.
At 23 years old, Sasaki arrives from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball—where he starred with the Chiba Lotte Marines—bringing an electrifying arm that consistently touches triple digits. Last season, he dominated with a 10–5 record, a 2.35 ERA, and an astonishing 524 strikeouts over 414⅔ innings .
While the Dodgers have remained tight-lipped on the official contract details, insiders confirm it’s a minor-league deal under MLB’s international bonus-pool structure. Reports indicate the bonus reached $6.5 million, a figure that overwhelmed rival suitors like the Padres and Blue Jays .
Sasaki, clearly energized, hinted at two compelling reasons for his choice—both pointing toward Los Angeles, though he declined to elaborate. Still, reports say influences included the presence of fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as well as the Dodgers’ renowned culture of winning and player development .
His signing not only headlines the Dodgers’ 2025 international class—which features standouts like Joseph Deng from South Sudan and Panama’s Adrian Torres—but also underscores LA’s aggressive global talent strategy .
At his introductory press conference, Sasaki radiated gratitude. In Japanese, he wrote he hoped “to wear my Dodgers uniform, feeling gratitude for all those who have supported me” . This sentiment resonated deeply with fans and media alike.
Dodgers President Stan Kasten defended the front office’s bold spending: “This is really good for baseball… it’s a win‑win‑win,” referencing the team’s record-setting attendance and its role in globalizing the sport .
Manager Dave Roberts, fresh off guiding a championship squad, was unreserved in his praise, stating, “Roki is the kind of talent dynasties are built around.” With the Dodgers already boasting an elite rotation—including Ohtani, Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Tony Gonsolin—Sasaki’s arrival fortifies their arms on the mound.
According to MLB window rules, Sasaki qualifies as an international amateur since he’s under age 25. Though originally expected to receive a far larger posting-linked contract, he opted instead for this minor-league deal to begin his MLB path early .
Fans on Reddit were electrified. One user declared,
> “Best Japanese ✅ Best righty ✅ Roki Sasaki, Dodgers (2025)” .
As spring training in Arizona approaches, all eyes will be on Sasaki’s fastball and whether he can seamlessly transition from Japan’s top starter to another cornerstone of an already loaded Dodgers roster.
