Japan’s all-time high school home run king bypasses the NPB to join Miami’s system, bringing elite exit velocity and rare power to the professional ranks.
Rintaro Sasaki has decided to take his talents to MLB after the Miami Marlins signed their 235th overall pick on Monday night.
Sasaki posted the news on Instagram, sharing a few pictures: signing the contract next to Peter Bendix, the president of baseball operations, and sporting his new Marlins gear.
"My new challenge is about to begin," Sasaki wrote. "I will do my best to make sure I can reach my dream stage."
The Japanese first baseman will face an uphill battle in the Marlins farm system. He's expected to bypass the rookie-level complex leagues (DSL and FSL) and could make an appearance for the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads or High-A Beloit Sky Carp.
Miami added a powerful hitter to its infield depth. Sasaki slashed .262/.403/.549/.952 with 16 home runs as a sophomore for the Stanford Cardinals, and was Japan's all-time high school home run leader (140).
He rattled off 13 multi-hit and 12 multi-RBI games this past season, including recording a home run in three straight contests. The signs of consistency are there, and Sasaki can sharpen his skills in the Minor Leagues.
Marlins area scout Scott Fairbanks complimented the 235th overall pick's rare ability, and he was a no-brainer selection when the team was on the clock.
"That's a big reason why I like him," Fairbanks said. "His name came up on the board. You look around, it's just not out there, so it's unbelievably valuable. So, when you can grab something like that, you just do it."
Fairbanks also highlighted the improved plate discipline that helped the first baseman's MLB stock rise in the draft. He launched a 458-foot home run and produced exit velocities as high as 115.4 mph during batting practice.
There is more room for the 21-year-old to grow, and Miami is betting on that latent potential, and so is Sasaki. He could have returned to Stanford for a junior season or played in the NPB for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who drafted him in 2025.
Instead, he expedited his journey to the pros and is embracing the tall challenge of climbing the Minor Leagues.
"I understand better than anyone that I still do not have enough ability," Sasaki posted on Instagram last Sunday. "Even if this path ultimately ends in failure, I do not want to have any regrets. In the way I live my life, I want to choose not based on whether I succeeded or failed, but on whether I challenged myself or not."
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!
