Roki Sasaki Tops MLB International Signing List

The start of Major League Baseball’s international free agent period usually arrives without fanfare.

In most years, only the most hardcore fans know about the teenagers from such Latin American countries as the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Panama. Those players will often spend one or two years playing in the complex leagues in the Dominican before even reaching the lowest level of the minor leagues in the United States.

However, this year is different. The spotlight is shining brightly on one eligible player who is hardly an amateur. And that player is right-hander Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old who has already pitched five seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

Because Sasaki is under 25, he is limited to a minor-league contract subject to the 2025 international signing bonus pools. Thus, all 30 teams theoretically should be able to afford Sasaki.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani went through a similar system when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $2,315,000 in 2018.

Here is a look at the top five international free agents:

ROKI SASAKI

Sasaki spent time in the Los Angeles area before the holiday meeting with teams and then flew to Toronto last week and met with the Blue Jays. Sasaki has reportedly narrowed his choices to the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays. The other teams he met with but ruled out were the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.

Last season, Sasaki had a 10-5 record for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 18 games with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings. However, Sasaki has been hampered by injuries throughout most of his career and been limited to 69 games and 414 2/3 innings over his five seasons.

Sasaki’s fastball sits in the high 90s and tops out at 101 mph. He complements it with a diving splitter, though Sasaki’s slider and changeup still need refinement.

ELIAN PENA

The 17-year-old left-handed hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic has already reached an agreement with the Mets and the deal will become official on Wednesday. Most top international free agents have deals in place prior to the beginning of the signing period, in some cases, year in advance.

Pena has an explosive bat with the ability to hit for both power and average. He also shows above-average plate discipline for such a young hitter.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder has the arm to play shortstop. However, some scouts feel Pena may not have the ability to stay at the position in the major leagues and will wind up playing third base.

JOSUAR GONZALES

Also, a Dominican shortstop, the switch-hitting Gonzales is expected to sign with the Giants. Some scouts believe Gonzales may have a better career than Pena because he should be able to stay at shortstop in the major leagues.

At 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, the 17-year-old Gonzales is an outstanding athlete with above-average speed and agility. Gonzales’ hitting lags compared to his baserunning and defense at this point, but he has the athleticism to become a good hitter.

CRIS RODRIGUEZ

The right-handed hitting Dominican outfielder looks the part of a star at 6-4, 200 pounds. The Detroit Tigers have an agreement in place with Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, 16, generates plenty of power from his large frame, crushes fastball, and projects to potentially hit 30 home runs a year in the big leagues. He needs work on hitting off-speed and breaking pitches but has enough athleticism that he could possibly stay in center field rather than move to a corner outfield spot.

ANDREW SALAS

The switch-hitting shortstop from Venezuela will become the third member of his family to play professionally once he signs his contract with the Miami Marlins. His brother, Ethan, is a catcher in the San Diego Padres’ farm system and one of the top prospects in baseball. Another brother, Jose, signed with the Marlins in 2019 and is now in the Minnesota Twins’ organization.

Considering his bloodlines, it’s not surprising that Salas gets high marks for his feel for the game despite being 16. The 6-foot-2, 188-pounder is not a great athlete but has the actions and smarts to play shortstop and should develop into a good gap-to-gap hitter who gets on base frequently.