Japanese high schooler Rintaro Sasaki is planning to attend college and play baseball in the United States rather than take part in the Nippon Professional Baseball draft, according to reports out of Japan. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Baseball America’s Peter Flaherty both shed some more light on the situation, including just how unusual it is for a highly-touted Japanese prospect to opt for the American college system (and subsequently, eventually being eligible for the MLB draft) rather than staying in NPB.
Sasaki was one of the favorites as the first pick in the upcoming NPB draft, so there’s certainly some risk for the 17-year-old in betting on himself and instead heading to college. He isn’t eligible for an NIL deal due to his international student status, but McDaniel writes that “industry chatter and a Japanese report have pegged Vanderbilt as an early leader” among what is sure to be quite a few suitors for the first baseman. McDaniel also adds in a follow-up tweet that Sasaki will likely start playing college ball in 2025, not in the coming season.
At 6’0″ and 250 pounds, Sasaki carries plenty of thunder in his bat, with Flaherty and McDaniel both giving him a 70 grade for power on the 20-80 scouting scale. “While his power is his premier tool, Sasaki also has a knack for consistently finding the barrel and has a great feel to hit,” Flaherty writes. “He has plenty of bat speed as well as big time ’buggy whip’ in his hands. Sasaki has also shown an advanced approach and has walked twice as many times as he has struck out.”
How this potential might translate to the NCAA ranks is yet to be determined, given the differences between Japanese and American high-school competition. Even with this in mind, McDaniel notes that the “scouting consensus is that Sasaki currently is roughly a third-round draft prospect.”
If Sasaki had been drafted by a NPB team and gone on to a regular career in Japanese ball, he wouldn’t have been a full free agent (and thus allowed to explore interest from MLB clubs) until after he’d completed nine full seasons of pro ball. It is possible Sasaki could have had a shorter wait than nine years if his team had agreed to post him, though perhaps only a shorter wait of a year or two at most, plus some NPB teams insist on their players fulfilling the entire nine-year minimum.
Since playing in Major League Baseball seems to be Sasaki’s ultimately goal, his decision to bypass the NPB draft system puts him in position to join an MLB organization much earlier. Of course, actually reaching the majors might still be some years away (if ever) since Sasaki still has to play college ball and then likely get through at least a few minor league seasons before getting consideration for a big league roster. That said, it is a bold move by a young player who clearly believes in his ability, and who might also start a new trend for Japanese high school prospects willing to forego NPB for a quicker shot at the majors.
He should be able to get NIL $$
He’s a foreign student so it’s tricky but yeah, they can find a way to make it work
What is NIL?
Name image and likeness…. how the NCAA kids are getting PAID.
Are they going to have a translator follow him to all his classes? Or does the team just accept this is a program building move and doesnt care about optics?
Vandy is a respectable school unlike most of the ones in the south that don’t care about recruiting student athletes without the “student” aspect. I find it hard to believe a Japanese high school baseball player, with their crazy schedules is proficient in English enough to jump to an American university. After teaching many esl learners abroad, I’d be surprised if he was moderately fluent in English.
If he is, then I take it all back. But, I don’t see anything to suggest that.
How do you know he’s not fully fluent in English already? What a ridiculous take, then again maybe your nick is the reason for the ignorance.
English is a compulsory subject in junior high and high schools in Japan.
If you read what he wrote, he explained why he thought he probably wasn’t.
iverbure
I don’t need you to tell me what he wrote. The inference is that he hasn’t learned English. Run along.
If you read what he wrote, since I know and you know you didn’t read it, you would know why he said it.
You do need me to tell you everything I obviously. I’ll be here on every comment you make from now on to make sure you’re educated.
The irony of calling someone ignorant when you didn’t read their whole post that explains exactly why they think what they do.
Kleppy12
I read it, if you can’t comprehend English it’s not my problem. You’re” ignorant”, not me. The inference by “boomer” is that he’s not proficient in English, because….T
There’s zero proof of the assumption. Go away.
Reminds me of the old joke: What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages? Bilingual – What do you call so who speaks 1 language? American
Lots of foreign exchange students in college that get along just fine
English is a compulsory subject in junior high and high schools in Japan.
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1-I had to visit Japan on business and was surprised at how few people can have a conversation in English.
2-I studied French in HS for three years. I couldn’t have held a real conversation in French even the last day of class.
3-Don’t most, if not all, Japanese players have translators? Perhaps Sasaki (and you) are different and get fluent in a foreign language quickly. But just for fun, I found this on Google from Nippon. com:
“Japan’s English Proficiency Falls Further Among Non-English-Speaking Countries in 2022. Japan was ranked at eightieth in a survey of English proficiency in 112 non-English speaking countries and regions.”
I was just about to say, I’ve spent plenty of time in Japan and although English classes are compulsory, most people cannot have a conversation in English (and who could blame them, they’re in Japan) but in any event the NCAA system has demonstrated time and time again that elite athletic performance is the only thing they care about and they’ll do whatever they have to (or hopefully don’t have to) to get their programs cash and move these guys on to NFL/MLB
You had a “business trip to Japan”, so that somehow extrapolates out to the whole population in regard to their English proficiency.
I have several Japanese friends, and I have played baseball with and against Japanese baseball players and they were proficient enough in English. My anecdotal ‘evidence’ is as significant as yours and the “boomer” who is speculating.
You have no clue as to whether Mr Sasaki is part of the 42.5% and whether he is proficient or not, but speculate away.
According to the study conducted by Statista in 2021, the participation rate of learning English in Japan among 10 to 14 years was 42.5%.
Most Americans don’t even speak English properly, but I still understand what they mean. It’s the same thing with people whose second language is English.
Take your L already Fred
That’s the funniest thing I’ve read on the net today. You know nothing about Japan, do you? Most Japanese people cannot speak English, despite taking it in school. That’s because they are mostly taught basic reading and writing to pass entrance exams, and have little or no chance to develop speaking (or listening) skills. I’m a university professor here, and have English majors who can’t speak the language. Unless Sasaki has been studying on his own, or has an interpreter with him for all classes, tests and assignments, he will have a tough time at Stanford.
@MrGaijin.
You assert that you’re a university professor in Japan, yet you know nothing about Sasaki and whether or not he is or isn’t proficient in English-fact. Stick to the facts oh sanctimonious “University Professor”, and furthermore, can you see from the ivory tower that you most certainly reside at, I doubt it.
Major college campuses…and even small colleges now…are LOADED with foreign language speaking students. There are community colleges in Kansas with classes where there might be three German women’s soccer players in a class of 15-20. Many small school wouldn’t exist without foreign athletes….some schools are 70% student athlete and largely foreign language.
Something I haven’t seen mentioned in these comments yet (apologies if I missed it) is the note in the article that Sasaki likely will start college in 2025 rather than ‘24.
I don’t know whether 17-year-old Japanese kids typically have 2 years of high school left, and if not, I doubt he’d take a “gap year” away from competitive ball just to learn English—but is it possible that having time to boost his English is part of planning the move to U.S. college so far in advance?
Probably more due to the fact that fall semester at colleges already started. I suppose he could try to enroll for this spring semester but he couldn’t practice or play with the team until he’s enrolled. At that point college baseball is starting already, so he’d have to get up to speed with the team thats been training and practicing while starting classes and adjusting to America in general all at the same time. Not a bad idea to start fresh in America next fall.
Oh, duh. When I read that note in the article I thought “school year starting in 2025” rather than “college baseball season starting in 2025.”
It’s common for a University to recruit players from other countries and that don’t speak English as a first language. Maybe if you weren’t abroad so much, you’d understand that.
Baseball programs typically don’t get the funding basketball or football programs do at colleges.
In fact many other athletic programs are funded by those two sports success.
The point about what to do with a student who may not speak enough English to meet requirements for course work at the college level is definitely a question worth asking.
Though I don’t personally have those concerns considering Japan education systems are well and above any in the United States, it’s still an important question to ask and definitely has ramifications if the foreign student can’t meet academic requirements to participate.
In this case, do baseball programs have enough funding to meet the needs of this particular foreign student?
Now of course the kid could be fluent in English for all we know and the concerns don’t apply.
Whether he gets a NIL deal or not, there will definitely be marketing involved. He would be an “attraction”… of sorts. The kids from the same high school as Ohtani and owns the home run record. (138). People will be interested in him based on that alone and thus he will create revenue.
2023s world series averaged 1.65 million viewers.
2023 ncaa tournament had 14.7 million viewers
2023s national championship game which was the lowest rated in the BCS/CFP era still got 17.22 million people.
I think you’re vastly overestimating peoples interest in collegiate baseball.
Mainly because the success rate of guys transitioning to mlb is significantly lower than basketball or football.
Japanese education is much better than the United States by leaps and bounds. But, Japan and Korea have much of their English language programs as after school programs. Japan and Korea also have the same programs for sports.
I personally doubt a player that is a 1-1 pick in the NPB draft has the language proficiency to excel at a US university when I would bet the majority of his extracurriculars were baseball.
This is more of an observation of the decline of American universities than a dig at the kid. You have so many terrible schools solely existing because they have sports and donors. At least he’s not going to LSU, Alabama, or some Florida school.
is definitely a question worth asking.
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of course. I have no idea why some of the poster(s) get so bent out of shape questioning if a 17 year old kid in Japan has sufficient English to attend a top-tier university.
Like you said, it is possible, but I’d bet the majority of Japanese students would not be able to cope. I imagine some Americans would have issues with Irish and English schools because of the accents, and they speak the same language.
It might seem like a question worth asking. But the answer is very simple and swift. Colleges and athletic programs (especially the lesser publicity sports) are CHALK FULL of foreign born students athletes. Soccer, cross country, tennis….even community colleges recruit overseas now. I went back to school for a class…and of 15 students…3 were German born soccer players, atleast 2 were French cross country runners and there were a couple Latin athletes aa well. Not quite half the class. But very close. This was a required course for any major at this college.
Really? It’s common? I haven’t heard of many colleges recruiting baseball players from other countries. Who are some examples?
I assume if it’s common you can name some off the top of your head. Or are you just a turd saying stuff you know little about?
Oregon State got Bazzana from Australia, Florida International had a few players from Puerto Rico on their roster just last season. Also, teams regularly recruit Canadian players. Alabama had a pitcher Antoine Jean and a catcher before he transferred before last season on their roster. Also, there are a few jucos that have international players. One of the Florida jucos had a South Korean player drafted just this year. Same for a New Mexico juco. One of the Arizona jucos roster is made up almost entirely of players from other countries like the Netherlands, Australia, and Dominican Republic and even had a Chinese pitcher.
Since there are tons of international players in college now. I am assuming it would be easy to hire a translator to assist these players or they allow the student athletes to do their work in their native language and a translator from the NCAA would grade their work. This is probably more common with the availability of online classes etc. I am not an expert in NCAA regulations and standards though. I do know that there are more players getting opportunities to play college ball from international countries than previousl.
I was part of a major D1 baseball program in the mid 90s. The staff SPECIALIZED in recruiting Canadian players and also players from the Caribbean.
I graduated from a D1 university a few years ago and there were plenty of student athletes from other countries while I was there. And I’m not just talking about Canada either.
He hasn’t seen 90 yet. Could also mix in a salad.
There are plenty of high school kids throwing 90+ in Japan
I just saw some pics of him he’s def a chubby boy like a Daniel vogelbach
So he’s doing the opposite of what Carter Stewart did?
Well, Sasaki was never drafted. Maybe he feels he’ll have a better opportunity by playing college ball in the US, and enter the MLB draft, rather than go through the NBP draft.
Carter Stewart entered the draft. He was just upset the Braves decreased his bonus due to medicals so he went to Japan.
What a horrible move that was. He’s pitching like doodoo butter
I find it fascinating how good Vanderbilt is at baseball but absolutely buttsauce at literally everything else
And why can’t he sign as an International Amateur player?
He could but, if he did he would have to wait 2 years to play in the NPB. His options would only be indy ball or industrial leagues. If he spent 4 years in US college and didn’t get drafted in MLB draft he could still be drafted to NPB in less time because he would still be available for their draft if he submitted the paperwork. Last NPB draft a player from Texas Tyler got drafted by a team (but he was Japanese American). Also, previously a Japanese player from Hawaii got drafted after his college career was completed.
It is more or less a fall back option, but he would still be able to play in less time. My guess is he is confident in his game and wants to make more money in MLB first. It is a calculated risk, but if he does poorly in college ball he can always return to Japan earlier without the 2 year wait in the indy circuit.
But what are the exact rules for why he can’t sign into an org like other 16/17 year olds from Cubs or DR for example? He should also qualify as an amateur signing. Unless there are different rules for players in specific countries.
Honestly I think that the MLB draft is a joke. There should be no age limits nor any international rules. Just expand the draft too more rounds and get rid of this “international pool”. Honestly I think the minor leagues should get expanded as well, perhaps a low Double A and High Double A would work. I understand Japan has its own way of doing things because they want their best players to play baseball there instead of just leaving for the US, but I don’t think its right to players like Kodai Senga with the whole posting process. The MLB draft used to have over 60 rounds. For those that argue that the talent wasn’t good at those later rounds, just look at Hall of Famer Mike Piazza taken in the 62nd round. Not all these scouts and evaluators are going to be right every time. These bonus slot rules are also pretty stupid too. It should be whatever pick your taken at, thats how much money you get plain and simple. The MLB makes simple things overly conviluted. They need to fix this crap in the next CBA negotiations
Should be no age limits? Yeah scouting 12 year olds should be ok. When you type stupid things like this nobody takes anything you say serious and they completely disregard everything.
Maybe he meant “less age limits”. Obviously a 6 year old kid won’t be drafted.
@iverbure if an idiot scout wants to give a 12 year old millions, why not let them?
If you need me ti explain why 12 years shouldn’t get contracts you obviously don’t know enough about the current system to have a opinion on the subject
Why would they expand the draft and the minor leagues when they reduced the number of rounds and minor league teams just a few seasons ago?
@myaccount12 Because reducing the minors and rounds was a mistake that made no sense. They need to fix it
But you know they won’t
Why was it was a mistake? If your reason is because one hall of famer was selected in the 60th round that’s not a very good excuse.
Not sure I understand this. Playing 9 years of pro ball in Japan gets him posted at 27. There he’d get a decent payday if he is as good as advertised. Goes to US, has to play 3 years of college ball where he makes nothing. If he does well, he’ll get drafted high and get a good signing bonus. But then he’ll be low paid in the minors and once he gets to the majors, under 6 years of team control before he’d be a free agent. That puts him at least a couple of years older when he hits free agency.
Arb salaries of in mlb are much higher especially the top end for players here.
He can leave after his freshman year to enter the MLB draft if he wants to
If you were 17 and had the choice of being a MLB 3rd round draftee or a freshman at a university, you have to think about which one is more fulfilling for you. A 3rd rounder usually gets a nice signing bonus to keep him comfortable while he takes his years long tour of minor league towns on minor league pay. Or he can go to a major university on scholarship with a NIL contract of significant dollars, meet thousands of coeds, and play a little baseball. Rintaro chose the school route which makes sense to me.
Yeah if he was draft eligible but he’s not. Going to college makes him eligible for the MLB draft after three seasons. If he had a possibility of being a third round pick and MLB draft than yeah it woulda been a choice but his choices were more be the 1/1 in the NPB draft and have basically 9 years to start a career in the US or go to college for three years and then be draft eligible and be in the minor leagues afterwards if all goes to plan.
I’d ask why not go to a junior college and try to be draft eligible after one or two seasons if that’s the ultimate goal to be drafted
… if he’s a 3rd round talent, why can’t he just be taken in the MLB Draft? What is stopping anyone from doing so?
He could skip Vanderbilt (or wherever) and be in the bigs at 21 or 22 instead of in High-A after the draft
Or does he want 3 years to lose 30 lbs?
International players aren’t Eligible for the draft
Come on Glendale Community College !
I believe that he could be available as an international signing but be restricted by the hard cap. Also, if he does sign with a team like this, then he automatically cannot be eligible to play in NPB for 2 years. He would have to play industrial or indy league ball. This is a rule that was developed in NPB after the Red Sox signed a reliever from the independent leagues to bypass the rules of signing Japanese players. In Japan, the league wants to keep and develop their younger players to make the teams more competitive. This can be seen in the foreign player limits per roster. If all the best young players went this route, then the league would have a problem with depending on older players and would lack new superstars every draft. There is a reason that many teams don’t post players until they are over a certain age.
I attended a business school that had 97 percent “international” students. Most were from US colleges and foreign high schools. Of those, over 90% were Chinese. They all spoke Chinese when talkign to each other to the point where the professors (also Chinese) had to remind them to speak English. I was the only one who didn’t speak Chinese in some classes. As a non-Chinese Asian, I can say that the language is not the barrier, but rather most Asians’ refusal to culturally assimilate with others that causes the most issues. It’s usually people sticking to their race and refusing to interact with other (even non-white) races that causes issues. The funny thing is, this was Johns Hopkins University, one of the many colleges that generally discriminates against Asians in admission. It was kind of weird being the only person in the program in MD from a Maryland High School.