Career Timeline of Roki Sasaki: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Roki Sasaki built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Roki Sasaki is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher known as "the Monster of the Reiwa Era." He played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), debuting in 2021. In 2025, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Stephen Strasburg Draft

In 2009, Stephen Strasburg was selected first overall in the Major League Baseball draft, and was one of the most anticipated prospects in the league's history. In 2023, MLB executives compared Sasaki's abilities to Strasburg's at the same age.

2019: Drafted by Chiba Lotte Marines

In 2019, after four teams attempted to select Sasaki in the NPB draft, the Chiba Lotte Marines won the lottery and selected Sasaki. He received a signing bonus of ¥100 million (US$911,161.73).

2020: Marines Protect Sasaki's Arm

In 2020, the Marines did not allow Sasaki to appear in a game to protect his arm.

May 16, 2021: NPB Debut

On May 16, 2021, Roki Sasaki made his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut. He finished the 2021 season with a 3–2 win–loss record, a 2.27 earned run average (ERA), and 68 strikeouts.

2021: NPB Debut

In 2021, Roki Sasaki made his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut for the Chiba Lotte Marines.

April 10, 2022: Throws Perfect Game

On April 10, 2022, Roki Sasaki threw a perfect game. He also tied the NPB record for strikeouts in one game and set a new record for consecutive strikeouts.

2022: Pitching Style in 2022

During the 2022 season, Roki Sasaki's fastball averaged 98.4 mph as a starter. He also throws a forkball, a curveball, and a slider, with the forkball being his best off-speed pitch.

April 28, 2023: Ties Fastest Pitch Record

On April 28, 2023, Roki Sasaki threw 4 pitches at a speed of 165 km/h (102.5 mph), tying the record held by Shohei Ohtani for the fastest pitch by a Japanese player in NPB history.

2023: Participates in 2023 World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Roki Sasaki pitched for the Japanese national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). He started two games, one against the Czech Republic on March 11 and another against Mexico on March 20. He received a gold medal in Japan's championship victory over the United States.

November 8, 2024: Marines Post Sasaki

On November 8, 2024, the Marines posted Sasaki to allow him to pursue an opportunity with Major League Baseball.

January 22, 2025: Signs with the Dodgers

On January 22, 2025, Roki Sasaki signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which featured a $6.5 million signing bonus. He had to sign a minor league deal because he was under the age of 25. Baseball America and MLB.com named him the No. 1 prospect in MLB entering the 2025 season.

March 19, 2025: MLB Debut in Tokyo Series

On March 19, 2025, Roki Sasaki made his MLB debut as the starter for the second game of the season in the MLB Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. He allowed one run and his first MLB strikeout was of Seiya Suzuki.