Report: Dodgers, Yankees, Mets among teams to scout Sasaki's NPB season debut
MLB clubs are already doing their homework on Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki.
Eight clubs scouted Sasaki's 2024 season debut for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, according to Yahoo! Japan.
The New York Yankees and New York Mets were reportedly among the teams present to see the hurler allow one run on six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk over five innings against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were also in attendance to watch the 22-year-old, per Japanese sports newspaper Sports Hochi.
Sasaki has reportedly been pushing the Marines to make him available to MLB clubs via the posting system next offseason, but his Japanese team has yet to commit.
The right-hander would dramatically lower the amount of money he could make by heading to the majors before he turns 25. Teams would only be able to use international bonus pools, which means his signing bonus could potentially max out at around $11 million. He would also be under club control for six years before being able to test free agency.
However, if Sasaki waits until he's 25, he can sign a contract for any term and value, as fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto did when he inked a 12-year, $325-million pact with the Dodgers.
Sasaki first turned heads with a 19-strikeout perfect game as a 20-year-old in 2022.