History of Roki Sasaki in Timeline

Roki Sasaki, dubbed "the Monster of the Reiwa Era," is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB). He previously played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), making his NPB debut in 2021. He signed with the Dodgers in 2025.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: Last Perfect Game Before Sasaki

In 1994, Hiromi Makihara pitched the last perfect game in NPB history prior to Sasaki's achievement.

November 3, 2001: Roki Sasaki's Birth

On November 3, 2001, Roki Sasaki was born. He is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher.

2001: Birth and Naming

In 2001, Roki Sasaki was born and named after the villain Rouki from Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger.

2009: Comparison to Stephen Strasburg

In 2023, Major League Baseball executives compared the abilities of Roki Sasaki at age 21 to those of Stephen Strasburg, who was selected first overall in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.

2011: Great East Japan Earthquake

In 2011, when Roki Sasaki was in the third grade, the Great East Japan earthquake and resulting tsunami swept away his house, and his father and grandparents died.

2019: Drafted by Chiba Lotte Marines

In 2019, the Chiba Lotte Marines selected Roki Sasaki in the first overall selection of the NPB draft.

August 15, 2020: Last No-Hitter in NPB Before Sasaki

August 15, 2020 was the date of the last no-hitter in NPB before Roki Sasaki's perfect game.

2020: No Appearances to Protect Arm

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

May 16, 2021: NPB Debut

On May 16, 2021, Roki Sasaki made his NPB debut.

2021: NPB Debut with Chiba Lotte Marines

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

2021: NPB Debut Season

In 2021, the Marines allowed Roki Sasaki to make his NPB debut after carefully avoiding premature physical stresses.

April 10, 2022: Perfect Game and Strikeout Record

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

2022: Fastball Average in 2022 Season

In the 2022 season, Roki Sasaki's fastball averaged 98.4 mph as a starter.

April 28, 2023: Tying Fastest Pitch Record

On April 28, 2023, Roki Sasaki threw four pitches at 165 km/h, tying Shohei Ohtani's record for the fastest pitch by a Japanese player in NPB history.

2023: International Attention at WBC

During the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Roki Sasaki's performance garnered international media attention for his fastball velocity and split-finger fastball.

2023: World Baseball Classic Participation

In 2023, Roki Sasaki pitched for the Japanese national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), contributing to Japan's championship victory and receiving a gold medal.

November 8, 2024: Marines Posted Sasaki to MLB

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

January 22, 2025: Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On January 22, 2025, Roki Sasaki signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, featuring a $6.5 million signing bonus, and was named 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, allowing one run on one hit.

2025: First Professional Save

In 2025, Roki Sasaki recorded his first professional save in the opening game of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.