Rintaro Sasaki, the record-breaking Japanese high school home run champion, has officially committed to Stanford University, according to an announcement made by the school on Tuesday. Sasaki, who is set to graduate high school in March, will join the Cardinal’s 2024 recruiting class and is expected to make an immediate impact on the team.
Coach David Esquer expressed his excitement about Sasaki’s addition to the team, stating that he may be one of the most highly regarded international prospects to play college baseball in the United States in quite some time. Esquer believes that Sasaki’s powerful hitting ability aligns perfectly with the team’s style of play and looks forward to his contributions in their pursuit of national championships.
With a remarkable 140 home runs to his name during his high school career, Sasaki was projected to be the top pick in the Nippon Professional Baseball draft. However, he made the unconventional decision to forgo the draft and pursue the opportunity to play college baseball instead. While there have been a few Japanese players who have chosen the college route in recent years, Sasaki’s decision to bypass NPB in favor of college baseball sets him apart from his predecessors.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, Sasaki’s most notable attribute is his incredible raw power, which is considered well above average. However, he is not solely reliant on power, as he also possesses a strong ability to make contact with the ball, generates impressive bat speed, and demonstrates an advanced approach at the plate. Additionally, he is a skilled defender at first base.
Sasaki’s commitment to Stanford marks a significant achievement for the university’s recruiting efforts. While their recruiting class narrowly missed out on a spot in the Top 25 rankings on Signing Day in November, Sasaki’s addition elevates their prospects and positions them as a potential top-20 class.
Following his high school graduation in March, Sasaki will enroll at Stanford for the spring quarter in April. However, he will not be eligible to play for the Cardinal until 2025, coinciding with the team’s transition from the Pac-12 to the ACC. Stanford has enjoyed considerable success in recent years, making three consecutive appearances in the College World Series. In the preseason rankings for 2024, they are currently ranked 15th.
Sasaki’s decision to pursue college baseball in America presents an intriguing narrative, particularly from a financial standpoint. Had he followed the more conventional path of being drafted into NPB and potentially making his way to MLB through a posting fee, he likely would have earned more money and had greater control over his MLB future. Instead, he will now be subject to the MLB draft, joining the draft class of 2027.
Sasaki’s choice to come to America for college could potentially pave the way for a new trend of Japanese players seeking opportunities in the collegiate system. However, for now, it sets the stage for an exciting few years ahead.
According to the Source baseballamerica.com