Monday night’s World Baseball Classic semifinal between Japan and Mexico was one of the more exciting games of the entire tournament. But from the very beginning, MLB fans were tuning in to watch one player (and no, it wasn’t Shohei Ohtani).
Japan pitching phenom Roki Sasaki made his first start on U.S. soil in Japan’s eventual 6-5 win, and the 21-year-old didn’t disappoint.
Sasaki sparked global attention last year when he threw the first NPB perfect game since 1994 and threw an additional eight perfect innings the following start before getting pulled due to pitch count. He boasts a fastball that tops out at 103 mph and an already-elite splitter.
Monday was the first time many MLB fans had a chance to see Sasaki pitch against top competition, and it didn’t take long for their jaws to collectively drop. He started the game with a strikeout of Randy Arozarena, blowing a 102 mph fastball right by him.
102.
Roki Sasaki is not messing around tonight 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/yIP4FHjCbh
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 20, 2023
Nearly every fastball he threw was at least 100 mph. He wasn’t messing around.
79 seconds of Roki Sasaki's 100mph Fastballs (or higher). ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/VGHphmJTIt
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 21, 2023
So Roki Sasaki last night:
⚾️26 pitches 100MPH+
⚾️4sm *averaged* 101.5 MPH. He threw 29.
⚾️ 59 of 64 pitches thrown 90 MPH+I was excited to see him pitch and yet I was not prepared for *that* pic.twitter.com/F7znDPbLBC
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) March 21, 2023
Of course, the night wasn’t perfect for Sasaki. His one mistake — a splitter that floated over the heart of the plate — ended up being a three-run home run for Brewers infielder Luis Urias.
IT'S GONE!! Luis Urias 3-run shot 💪🇲🇽
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/FUTLyWKdnU
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023
But this was still a 21-year-old with absolutely elite stuff on the mound. Sasaki likely won’t arrive to MLB until he is 25 (so after the 2026 season), but there is a chance that he follows Ohtani’s lead and asks to go through the posting process early.
If that happens, he’ll have no shortage of suitors. MLB fans were already clamoring for their teams to get in on the Sasaki sweepstakes.
This was how Twitter reacted
Sell Liverpool for Sasaki's posting fee
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) March 20, 2023
Ever since I found out who Roki Sasaki was 45 minutes ago, I've known it's destined for him to become a Yankee. pic.twitter.com/u8jlgRTiRF
— Gabe (@PlayoffTanaka_) March 21, 2023
Future Met, Roki Sasaki. 🇯🇵
What ya think, @StevenACohen2? #LGM pic.twitter.com/j2Ptr1gtpx
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) March 20, 2023
“Listen Prime Minister Kishida, what you guys need is a shortstop. A shortstop and a DH. Shewmake. Yeah, Shewmake and Ozuna. I mean all I’d want in return is a pitcher. Who’s this Sasaki fella I’ve been hearing about. C’mon Fumio… Fummmy. You mind if I’d call you Fummy?” pic.twitter.com/j4ZmNDFBGQ
— Moose (@bravesmoose) March 20, 2023
I'm not sure it's an overstatement to say Roki Sasaki has the highest potential for a starting pitcher we've seen in the last 30-40 years.
— Max Greenfield (@GreenfieldMax18) March 20, 2023
I can’t wait for the Mets future rotation headed by:
1. Sasaki
2. Ohtani
3. Senga https://t.co/wf80a5cKP4— Ben Yoel (@Ben_Yoel) March 20, 2023
Me to Jed Hoyer https://t.co/4n5S2BJDEq pic.twitter.com/nVHPtidBuk
— Zach Prosperi (@Zach_Prosperi) March 21, 2023
Need Steve Cohen to pay a gazillion dollars for him so Japanese Dwight Gooden can have his 1984. https://t.co/w6qIPrVU5v
— Conor Sen (@conorsen) March 20, 2023
it's time to bring a Japanese superstar to Toronto. https://t.co/tTFGJDrvzu
— Johnny Boy (@JAG_Q) March 20, 2023
Please, Jim. Bring him to me. https://t.co/JIHk2NIbMg
— Bonda (@BenOndaTop) March 20, 2023
Blank check @Phillies https://t.co/y3KIhkkf5Z
— PJ Laird (@PjLaird924) March 20, 2023
Derek Falvey I NEED a masterclass when the time comes https://t.co/2hHOZsjweq
— Kyle Farmer Stan (@MagikMicHoffman) March 20, 2023
Teams should start preparing their bids now. It’s going to be wild when the time comes.
