https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/32eaa27e75e8578d76545746c4acb64f39480795?s=34

Lotte Roki Sasaki appears at a fan appreciation event.
Sasaki stood in front of Mike at the urging of director Masato Yoshii. "With the support of the team this time, I decided to challenge the majors. Thank you to all the fans. There were times when it was difficult to get along due to injuries, but with the support of many people, I was able to overcome it and do my best. I will do my best in the United States by turning the passionate cheers and strict encouragement I have received so far into strength. Thank you very much."

Lotte announced on the 9th that it has decided to start the process of posting pitcher Roki Sasaki to a major league (MLB) team.

He joined the club from Ofunato High School as the first draft pick in 2019. He made his debut in the first division in his second year and had a record of 29 wins, 15 losses, and a 2.10 ERA in 64 appearances. This season, he had a double-digit 10-5 record and a 2.35 ERA in 18 appearances for the first time. In 2022, he became the youngest player in history to complete a perfect game, and at last spring's WBC, he won the world's No. 1 as a member of Samurai Japan, continuing to grow as a "Reiwa monster".

16 comments

  2. “I will do my best in the United States by turning the passionate cheers and strict encouragement I have received so far into strength. Thank you very much.”

    Ouch, does that mean Toronto is out already before the posting period even began?

  5. im starting to think hes most likely a Padres. We could be underestimating Darvish’s help towards Roki in the WBC. The amount of footage of Roki asking Darvish for help could really point to roki joining San Diego and getting help from Darvish with purely pitching with the amount of time Darvish has before he retires.

    if Roki walks into a room of Shohei, Yamamoto, Mookie, Freddie and maybe 1-2 other people and rejects that, you gotta give him props for saying no to that.

  7. The Dodgers start the season in Tokyo. Would be a great look for him to be on the team for both him and the Dodgers

  13. Really want him on Dodgers but have feeling he’s joining Padres him and Darvish are very close that’s his idol growing up and he’s helped him a lot just can’t see him saying no with all respect he has for him. He was also wearing Padres shirt this year back in Japan which might say something an AJ Preller mentions his name a lot especially in beginning of season so maybe they know he’s joining them bcs that would be weird just randomly mention his name if they didn’t know something like they seem confident 🤔

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