BASEBALL

These Japanese stars could be next in line for huge MLB deals

Starting pitcher Roki Sasaki is among the next wave of Japanese stars in NPB who are likely to make the jump to MLB in the coming years. | Reuters

Kyodo

Dec 28, 2023

CBS Sports on Tuesday highlighted three young Japanese players who could be the next to follow Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in fetching huge MLB contracts.

In an online article, the sports division of U.S. network CBS listed Lotte Marines right-hander Roki Sasaki, 22, Yakult Swallows third baseman Munetaka Murakami, 23, and Orix Buffaloes right-hander Shumpeita Yamashita, 21, as potential stars to make the jump to North America.

In April 2022, Sasaki struck out a record-tying 19 batters on his way to NPB's first perfect game in 28 years, before throwing eight perfect innings in his next start a week later.

These Japanese stars could be next in line for huge MLB deals

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