One of the biggest days of the Major League Baseball off-season is here. On Wednesday, January 15, international prospects can begin signing contracts.
The large majority of the signings will involve 16- and 17-year-olds who are chasing a baseball dream in America. But every once in a while, there is an international star who is primed to make an impact in the majors the same year he signs. This year, Roki Sasaki of Japan is that star.
Four years ago, he made himself and his electric arm known at the World Baseball Classic. Now, still only 23-years-old, his more mature arm features a 102 mph fastball and a swing-and-miss rate of 57.1%. He is considered to be a top-tier starting pitcher from the moment he pitches his first game.
Sasaki has reportedly narrowed his choices to three teams – the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Dodgers (+360 to win the 2025 World Series) are a natural fit with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the roster. L.A. has a history with Japanese pitchers, and there would be no shortage of support for Sasaki in the Japanese community. Plus, if you’re going to leave a team that has made the Japanese playoffs in four of the last five years, join the team that just won the World Series.
The Padres have the advantage of Yu Darvish, a friend and mentor of Sasaki’s. They don’t bring with them the same success of the Dodgers or the prospects for the future (+1500 to win the 2025 World Series). But they are a definite contender.
The Blue Jays have emerged as an expected third choice here at the 11th hour, thanks to a successful two-day meeting with Sasaki in Toronto. They were a last-place team in 2024, and in recent years, they have failed to attract any of the high-profile free agents. But the meeting last week reportedly went well.
Sasaki has until January 23 to make his decision.
Two Dominican Shortstops are Prize Signings
Outside of starting pitchers, middle infielders top the wish lists of most baseball general managers. There are two very good shortstops that are projected to be good MLB players down the road, Josuar De Jesus González and Elian Peña, both from the Dominican Republic.
González is a 17-year-old switch-hitter that shined at the 18U World Cup last summer. He walks more than he strikes out, has speed on the bases, and his potential has been compared to All-Stars Francisco Lindor and José Reyes. He is expected to sign with the San Francisco Giants.
Peña has the feet, the glove, and the arm to be a plus-defensive player at shortstop. But it’s his bat that really has scouts salivating. He’s thought to have five-tool potential, with great bat speed and the ability to hit for average and power to all fields. He’s also 17-years-old, and hits from the left side. He has been connected to the New York Mets.
A player is eligible to sign with a Major League organization if they turn 16 before they sign, and turn 17 before September 1 of the following year. Players also must register with Major League Baseball in order to be eligible.
With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.
