The current World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are about to significantly strengthen their pitching rotation. On Friday, coveted Japanese pitcher Aki Sasaki announced that he will be playing for the Dodgers.
The 23-year-old revealed on Instagram that he has signed a minor league contract with the organization. Saski's Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will receive compensation from the MLB franchise.
Sasuki is the newest Japanese-born superstar to arrive in Los Angeles in the past year. Last winter, superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the team. Ohtani was only a designated hitter in 2024, but won the MVP trophy for the third time in his career.
He plans to return to the pitcher's mound in 2025.
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Aki Sasaki of Japan pitches during the World Baseball Classic's Pool B game against the Czech Republic at Tokyo Dome on March 11, 2023, in Japan. (AP Photo/Hoshiko Eugene)
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously said signing Sasaki was considered a “top priority.” Sasaki met with the Dodgers earlier this week.
The combination of youth and elite talent has made Saski a coveted prospect.
Who is Aki Sasaki? What you need to know about the sense of pitching among Japanese players aiming to play in the MLB
But the Dodgers have long been considered the frontrunners in the race to acquire the pitcher, whose fastball can reach 160 mph. He can also throw an impressive splitter, increasing his chances of becoming the ace of the pitching rotation.
Roki Sasaki of the Japanese national team reacts during the bottom of the third inning against the Mexican national team during the World Baseball Classic semifinals at Lorne Depot Park in Miami, Florida on March 20, 2023. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
During baseball's winter meetings in December, a long list of MLB clubs submitted information about their organizations to Saski and his agents.
Aki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines pitches during a game against the Orix Buffaloes held in Chiba, near Tokyo, on April 10, 2022. (Via Kyodo News AP, file)
Although some of these teams were allowed to meet in person, only three organizations made the shortlist. By January, the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Dodgers were the final teams considered.
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The Dodgers' projected pitching rotation already included Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell also signed with Los Angeles earlier this offseason.
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