Dodger Stadium remains under construction, amid major offseason renovations for the defense. World Series champions.
But hundreds of journalists nonetheless gathered at Chavez Ravine on Wednesday to see the team showcase one of the final key pieces of its 2025 roster.
Less than a week after announcing he would sign with the Dodgers in one of the biggest free agency coups of this offseason, a 23-year-old Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki was introduced by the team during a celebratory news conference — the latest reception of star players for a team that has stockpiled them over the past few winters.
“Putting on this Dodgers uniform today, I am reminded that my journey is about to begin,” the pitcher said through the interpreter. Will Ireton after putting on a white No. 11 jersey. “And it makes me feel more focused than ever.”
Learn more: “They all wanted him here.” How Shohei Ohtani and Other Dodgers Helped Recruit Roki Sasaki
Introductory press conferences are nothing new for the Dodgers.
They held two final offseasons to finalize their acquisitions of fellow Japanese. Shohei Ohtani And Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Twice already this offseason, club officials took the stage in right field at the Stadium Club to welcome two-time Cy Young Award winner. Blake Snell and welcome back, fan favorite Teoscar Hernandez.
Another ceremony could soon be on the horizon as the team has reached an agreement with the top free agent reliever. Tanner Scott last weekend.
Sasaki’s arrival, however, was a one-off affair, with the powerful right-hander hailed as a key – and economical — is part of the team’s future after signing a minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus that was finalized Wednesday.
Sasaki was limited to such a modest contract, as he signed as an international amateur because he arrived from Japan before turning 25. But that belies the tantalizing potential he brings to the Southland, where Dodgers officials hope he can quickly become a real player. a big league ace.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman described Sasaki as “one of the most electrifying and promising talents in the game.”
“This is a really exciting time for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization,” Friedman said, smiling at Sasaki on stage. “You will not only contribute to our rich legacy, but you will also play an instrumental role in helping us write the next chapter in Dodgers history.”
Learn more: Before Roki Sasaki’s release, MLB found no evidence of a handshake deal with the Dodgers
In addition to Sasaki and Friedman, the Dodgers filled the makeshift stage in the right field box that hosted Wednesday’s press conference. general manager Brandon Gomes and manager Dave Roberts were there, as was the club president Stan Kasten. In the first row of folding chairs, members of the Dodgers’ Guggenheim ownership group were present — but not club president Mark Walter — along with members of Sasaki’s personal support team from Japan.
As with last year’s press conferences for Ohtani and Yamamoto, the name “Guggenheim” was also prominently displayed on the podium and in the backdrop.
But a new twist this time: Wednesday’s event opened with a highlight video of Sasaki played over one line by Dodger Stadium public address announcer Todd Leitz:
“Now on the mound for the Dodgers – Roki Sasaki.”
For the club’s leaders, this phrase represented a long-held dream come true.
Friedman said Sasaki first appeared on the Dodgers’ radar six years ago, when his athletic build and great speed caught the attention of their international scouts while Sasaki was still in high school.
From there, Sasaki’s reputation only grew, with his high-90s fastball, devastating splitter, and ever-improving slider leading evaluators to rank him as one of the most talented pitchers in the game. world.
“I think it’s definitely Cy Young caliber,” Gomes said. “And to continue to do what he did in Japan, at this age, and to have the ability and the opportunity to improve, it’s really exciting and impressive.”
Learn more: Roki Sasaki Signs Takeaways: How Much Will He Earn? How good could the Dodgers rotation be?
Sasaki doesn’t consider himself a “finished product” yet, in the words of his agent Joel Wolfe from the Wasserman Media group. But the Dodgers hope the 6-foot-4 pitcher will be able to quickly adapt to life in the majors and become an instant contributor to next season’s World Series title defense.
“The plan is to hit the ground running in spring training and have it play a big role in helping us win games,” Friedman said.
Sasaki described his decision-making process in free agency as “incredibly difficult,” having gone through an initial round of meetings with a handful of teams before visiting in person with his three finalists, the Dodgers, San Padres Diego and the Toronto Blue Jays. .
“When they left Toronto, I felt like he could easily go to Toronto. When we left San Diego, I felt like he could easily choose San Diego. And when he came here, I really thought the whole process was a coin toss,” Wolfe said. “I had no idea what he was going to say when he finally said, ‘OK, it’s the Dodgers.'”
Sasaki didn’t give many details on what ultimately influenced his final choice, but cited “front office stability” as a key factor. He also said he was looking for “a place purely based on where I can grow the most as a player.”
Learn more: Shaikin: Roki Sasaki is a Dodger. Here’s why it’s a big day for baseball
“I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of teams and they had a lot of cool features,” Sasaki said. “But overall, when I looked at the general consensus, I thought the Dodgers were at the top.”
One dynamic Sasaki downplayed was the presence of Ohtani and Yamamoto already on the team, saying “it wasn’t a priority for me” to play alongside other Japanese stars.
However, Sasaki said he was comforted knowing “a Japanese player would be embraced in the team and in the city.”
And when he informed his two former Team Japan teammates – and now future Dodgers teammates – of his decision, he said they immediately welcomed him to the club, the first of many warm receptions that marked the successful arrival of Sasaki.
“Being able to play with Ohtani and Yamamoto, two exceptional players, I’m really looking forward to playing with them,” he said. “And not just them, but the rest of the team, who are incredibly talented as well. So I hope and I will work to make sure I can stand alongside them.
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This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
