Everything To Know About Roki Sasaki Coming To MLB

Roki Sasaki is coming.

By now, you probably already know that the Japanese pitching wunderkind will be MLB-bound for 2025 after it was announced this weekend that the Chiba Lotte Marines intend to post the 23-year-old sometime this winter. But when it comes to someone as special as Sasaki, there’s so much more to know.

To help get you prepared for the oncoming wave of Roki-mania, here’s a quick run through Baseball America’s coverage of Sasaki, from recent scouting reports and potential landing spots to Sasaki’s performance at the World Baseball Classic last year and even, yes, a perfect game.

• Roki Sasaki’s Potential MLB Impact: Everything You Need To Know

• No, There’s No Way For Teams To Get Around Bonus Limits To Sign Roki Sasaki

• Signing Roki Sasaki Could Land Team An Extra Draft Pick Via PPI

• Where Will Roki Sasaki Sign? Pitches For All 30 Teams To Land The Japanese Star

• Is Roki Sasaki The Best Pitching Prospect In The World?

• Roki Sasaki Spins Masterful 19-K Perfect Game In Japan

• Only 21, Roki Sasaki Has Already Done the Unprecedented

• Roki Sasaki Gives A Sneak Peek Of His Stuff

Also be sure to watch J.J. Cooper & Geoff Pontes lead a Sasaki deep dive on the Baseball America Youtube channel:

SHAW TOPS CUBS’ PROSPECT LIST

We’re continuing our rollout of Top 10 prospect lists for 2025 with a look at the Chicago Cubs.

The top of the Cubs system is headlined by Matt Shaw, a bat-first infielder whose positional versatility could earn him playing time in the major leagues next season. For the complete Cubs breakdown, be sure to check out:

• Chicago’s updated top 10 prospects heading into 2025

• Our projected 2028 Cubs lineup and rundown of the system’s best tools

• A Cubs-specific prospect chat led by Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes

Stay tuned each day this week as we continue prospect drops for the rest of the division, with the NL West set to come soon, too.

LONG TAKES OVER THE TOP SPOT

AFL Hot Sheet: Cubs Breakout Prospect Headlines Week 5

In this week’s edition of the Arizona Fall League Hot Sheet, we’re keeping up the Cubs theme with Chicago first baseman Jonathan Long.

The Long Beach State product has carried the momentum from his breakout campaign in his first full professional season over to AFL play. He started for the NL squad in the Fall Stars game and drove in two runs. Last week, Long had hits in all four games. He went an eye-popping 4-for-8 with two home runs and five RBIs between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Other Hot Sheet standouts this week include:

• A Yankees infielder who is putting his hat in the ring for the big league 2B job in 2025

• A Pirates outfielder who is known for his defense but also slashing .406/.472/.594 in 18 AFL games

• A Tigers lefthander who struck out eight in four scoreless IP last week

Hot Sheet Show Streams Live At 3:30 p.m. ET

Don’t forget to join us this afternoon for our weekly Hot Sheet Show on Youtube. On this week’s episode, we’ll be introducing discussing Roki Sasaki coming to America, discussing NL Central Top 10s and welcoming Brewers prospect Brock Wilken live on the show.

FOLLOW BA ON SOCIAL

CHECK OUT OUR FRIENDS OVER AT FOUL TERRITORY WITH THEIR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, “FT LEADOFF!”

November 11, 2024: Sasaki Headed For MLB, Ohtani's Marketing Revenue, Perry Minasian Joins FT!

INTERESTED IN SUBSCRIBING TO BASEBALL AMERICA?

Join the thousands of fans, players, coaches and front office personnel who are the backbone of the Baseball America community by subscribing today.

SIGN UP FOR THE BASEBALL AMERICA PROSPECT REPORT NEWSLETTER

Sign up for our free Baseball America Prospect Report newsletter to receive daily updates on top prospect performers, news & more from the night before.