MLB teams have coveted Roki Sasaki since he broke Shohei Ohtani's Japanese high school record by reaching 101 mph with his fastball as a 17-year-old in 2019, part of a 194-pitch, 12-inning, 21-strikeout complete game in the national summer Koshien tournament.

When Roki Sasaki announced he was signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black reacted just liike the rest of us.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were always the favorites to sign Roki Sasaki, but it wasn't because there was a deal already in place like many critics speculated.

Because those two outlets opted to rank Sasaki as a legitimate prospect, the Dodgers can officially receive a significant draft pick should Sasaki make their Opening Day roster (or be promoted in the first two weeks of the season) and either win Rookie of the Year or place in the top 3 of MVP or Cy Young voting in any of the next three seasons.

Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers' top pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, ranks among the players who can make an impression this spring.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have Roki Sasaki, but a new Japanese player named Munetaka Murakami is now getting attention.

In his first year as a Dodger, Sasaki will earn the league minimum of $760,000 after classifying as an international amateur.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were represented by five prospects on Keith Law’s top 100 rankings for the 2025 season, with Dalton Rushing leading the way at No.

The Detroit Tigers are the only team in baseball with three top 10 prospects on ESPN's top-100 list, as compiled by draft expert Kiley McDaniel.

Sasaki dealt with injuries ( specifically, arm discomfort) throughout his 2024 season with the Chiba Lotte Marines, which kept him to just under 120 innings. Tommy John was also recommended to him when he was just 18, but he declined.