Roki Sasaki
Born 2001 · Age 24
Japanese professional baseball pitcher. Starred in NPB with the Chiba Lotte Marines (NPB debut 2021), threw an NPB perfect game in 2022, played for Team Japan in the 2023 WBC, and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025.
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Life & Career Timeline
Named after TV character (Rouki)
His given name was inspired by the villain Rouki from the 2001 Super Sentai show Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger.
Born in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, Japan
Roki Sasaki was born in Rikuzentakata. Named after the villain Rouki from Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger.
Affected by 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami
House swept away by the tsunami; his father and grandparents died. Sasaki, his mother and two brothers lived in a nursing home during recovery.
Family moved to Ōfunato; began playing baseball
Sasaki's family moved to Ōfunato and he began playing baseball at his new school.
Chose to attend Ofunato High School
Although recruited by multiple schools, Sasaki elected to attend Ofunato High School to remain with his teammates.
High-school resting controversy (coach rested him in qualifying game)
During the Japanese High School Baseball Championship qualifying round, Sasaki's manager rested him in the qualifying game where Ofunato was eliminated; the decision drew media criticism.
Set Japanese high school fastball record (163 km/h / 101 mph)
Recorded a 101 mph (163 km/h) fastball in high school, breaking the Japanese high school record previously held by Shohei Ohtani and earning the nickname "the Monster of the Reiwa Era."
Declared for the NPB draft
Sasaki announced he would enter the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft rather than pursue other options.
Signed with Chiba Lotte Marines (¥100,000,000)
Sasaki received a ¥100,000,000 signing bonus when he was selected by the Marines (approx. US$911,161.73 reported).
Selected 1st overall in 2019 NPB draft
After multiple teams attempted to select him, the Chiba Lotte Marines won the lottery and took Sasaki with the first overall pick.
Marines withheld him from games to protect his arm
To protect his arm, the Marines did not allow Sasaki to appear in any NPB games during the 2020 season.
2021 season stats (NPB rookie season)
Finished 2021 with a 3–2 record, 2.27 ERA, and 68 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings over 11 appearances.
Postseason Climax Series debut (2021)
Made his postseason debut in the 2021 Pacific League Climax Series, striking out 10 batters while allowing one run in six innings as Lotte defeated the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
NPB debut for Chiba Lotte Marines
Made his Nippon Professional Baseball debut on May 16, 2021.
Received Chiba City Special Award ("New Era Hometown Impressive Award")
Honored locally in Chiba for his achievements in 2022.
Named NPB All-Star (2022)
Selected as an NPB All-Star in 2022.
2022 season totals (NPB)
Finished 2022 with a 9–4 record, 2.02 ERA and 173 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings.
Set world record for consecutive strikeouts in a game
Struck out 13 consecutive batters in the perfect game — a new world record at the time.
Threw a perfect game (NPB)
Pitched a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes — the 16th perfect game in NPB history; tied NPB single-game strikeout record with 19 and set a new consecutive-strikeout record (13).
Pitched 8 perfect innings next start; retired 52 consecutive batters
On April 17, 2022, Sasaki threw eight perfect innings (14 strikeouts on 102 pitches) and extended his streak to 52 consecutive batters retired — an NPB record.
Streak snapped with a hit on first pitch
On April 24, 2022, the streak of perfect innings / consecutive retired batters was snapped when he allowed a hit on the first pitch.
MLB executives compared Sasaki to Stephen Strasburg
In March 2023, three MLB executives compared Sasaki's ability at age 21 to Stephen Strasburg (high-ceiling prospect comparisons reported in media).
2023 season totals (NPB)
Finished 2023 with a 7–4 record, 1.78 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 91 innings (missed time due to oblique injury).
Named NPB All-Star (2023)
Selected as an NPB All-Star for the second consecutive year.
Activated to Japan WBC roster
Feb. 9, 2023 – roster activation for Team Japan ahead of the World Baseball Classic.
Won gold medal with Japan at 2023 World Baseball Classic
Finished the WBC with a 1–0 record, 3.52 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings; Japan defeated the U.S. in the final.
Started WBC game vs Czech Republic
Started March 11, 2023 vs Czech Republic: 3 2/3 innings, 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts.
Started WBC semifinal vs Mexico
March 20, 2023 – started Japan's semifinal vs Mexico: 4 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 strikeouts.
Four pitches at 165 km/h (102.5 mph) – tied NPB Japanese record
On April 28, 2023, Sasaki recorded four pitches at 165 km/h (102.5 mph), tying Shohei Ohtani for the fastest pitch by a Japanese player in NPB history.
Career NPB totals through 2024
Through the 2024 season: NPB career totals reported — 29–15 record, 2.10 ERA, 505 strikeouts (cumulative).
2024 season totals (NPB)
Posted a 10–5 record with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings in 2024 (season included time missed with a vague right arm injury).
Discussion/analysis around early posting and bonus-pool consequences
Media coverage and analysis (Nov–Dec 2024) discussed that because Sasaki was posted before age 25, MLB international bonus-pool rules reduced his guaranteed pool to low-seven-figures and limited his immediate earnings compared to a later posting.
Posted by Chiba Lotte Marines to pursue MLB opportunity
On November 8, 2024, the Marines posted Sasaki, making him available to Major League Baseball teams.
Presented Miguel Rojas with sake and thanked teammates
At a press event after signing with the Dodgers, Sasaki presented infielder Miguel Rojas with three bottles of sake and a set of serving glasses as a thank-you after Rojas offered him No. 11.
Named No.1 prospect entering 2025 (Baseball America & MLB.com)
Baseball America and MLB.com both named Sasaki the No. 1 prospect in baseball entering the 2025 season after his signing.
Press conference upon signing with Dodgers
At his signing press conference, Sasaki referenced surviving a disaster (2011 tsunami) and said he tried not to forget to keep looking forward.
Signed with Los Angeles Dodgers (minor-league contract, $6.5M signing bonus)
Sasaki signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan 22, 2025; because he was under 25 he was required by MLB rules to sign a minor-league deal. Reported $6.5M signing bonus.
Assigned to Oklahoma City Comets (Dodgers organization)
Upon signing on Jan 22, 2025, Sasaki was assigned to the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets.
Invited to/added to Dodgers spring training roster
Jan 24, 2025 – roster status changed / invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee per team transactions.
Dodgers select contract / set Opening Day roster
March 17, 2025 – Dodgers selected Sasaki's contract from Oklahoma City; he made the Opening Day roster for the MLB Tokyo Series.
MLB debut (Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs, Tokyo Series)
March 19, 2025 – MLB debut: allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 5 walks while striking out 3; first MLB strikeout was Seiya Suzuki.
Changed uniform number to 42
April 15, 2025 – transaction log shows a uniform-number change to 42.
Changed uniform number to 11 and placed on 15-day injured list (shoulder)
April 16, 2025 – changed number to 11. Also around this time placed on the injured list (transactions show IL placement mid-April for shoulder impingement soon after).
First Major League win (vs Atlanta Braves)
May 3, 2025 – earned his first MLB victory against the Atlanta Braves.
MLB season stats snapshot (through May 10, 2025)
Through May 10, 2025: MLB record 1–1, 4.72 ERA, 24 strikeouts.
Placed on 15-day injured list (right shoulder impingement)
May 13, 2025 – placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement (Dodgers reported).
Transferred to 60-day injured list
June 20, 2025 – Dodgers transferred Sasaki from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL due to ongoing right shoulder issues.
Sent on rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Comets
Aug 14, 2025 – Dodgers sent Sasaki on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets while recovering from shoulder issues.
Key Achievement Ages
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