Roki Sasaki Nears Lifelong MLB Dream As Free Agency Sweepstakes Begin

Roki Sasaki made a huge impression with his electric performance during Japan's run to the 2023 World Baseball Classic title. | Eric Espada / Getty Images

When Japanese stud righthander Roki Sasaki was a child, he dreamed of playing in the major leagues. The MLB stadiums, the crowds cheering in English, the jersey emblazoned with—well, he never got that far. 

“I asked him if he wanted to talk about the teams,” says his agent, Joel Wolfe. “All he wanted to talk about was: 'Am I going to be posted? When am I going to be posted?'”