THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 9, 2024 at 17:52 JST
Roki Sasaki of Japan pitches during their Pool B game against the Czech Republic at the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 11, 2023. (AP file photo)
CHIBA--Japanese ace Roki Sasaki will be available to Major League Baseball teams this offseason.
The Chiba Lotte Marines announced Saturday they have chosen to start the process of moving the pitcher to a big league club in North America via the posting system.
The right-hander, who turned 23 this month, is expected to become one of the most sought-after pitchers on the open market. He went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games this year, striking out 129 hitters in 111 innings.
Because he is younger than 25, Sasaki will be classified as an international amateur free agent subject to international bonus pool limits, according to MLB rules. That means his first contract would be a minor league deal no larger than seven figures.
The Marines will receive a percentage fee for posting him, with the amount determined by the size of his contract.
It's unclear yet when Sasaki will officially be posted, starting the 45-day clock for him to sign with a major league club.
Sasaki helped Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His fastball has been clocked at 102.5 mph, and he had a 29-15 career record with a 2.10 ERA over four injury-shortened seasons with the Marines. He pitched a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes in April 2022.
“Since I joined the team, the team has been listening to my thoughts about my future MLB challenge, and I am very grateful to the team for officially allowing me to post," Sasaki said in a statement posted by the Marines on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.
"There were many things that did not go well during my five years with the Marines, but I was able to get to this point by concentrating only on baseball, with the support of my teammates, staff, front office, and fans. I will do my best to work my way up from my minor contract to become the best player in the world, so that I will have no regrets in my one and only baseball career and live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported me this time.”
(责任编辑:ホットスポット)
小説家を目指すろう者の少女の物語 羊の目 。の単行本「おひさまとえんぴつ」
【京都大賞典】目黒記念2着のシュヴァリエローズが重賞初V狙う 清水久調教師「距離を長くして本領発揮」
「タテ読みマンガアワード 2024」開催!今読んでおきたいタテ読み作品を投票で決定
極道生まれの少年が歌舞伎の世界へ挑む、吉田修一「国宝」のコミカライズ版1巻
巨人ドラフト1位の18歳が「世界一を目指したい」野球が復活の28年ロス五輪でU18代表の悔しさ晴らす
【京都大賞典】目黒記念2着のシュヴァリエローズが重賞初V狙う 清水久調教師「距離を長くして本領発揮」
「私は選ばれない」天真爛漫な妹に婚約者を奪われた姉は 、愛知らぬ小公爵に執着される(動画あり / 試し読みあり)
鍵山優真、世界王者・マリニンを意識「追いつく 、追い抜くパフォーマンスができるように」
松山市出身の河本結 地元で初日首位発進「勝つことだけをイメージして」 パッティングの修正が奏功