Part 1/4:
Roki Sasaki: The Next Japanese Pitching Sensation Eyeing MLB
The Saga of Roki Sasaki's Potential Move to the Major Leagues
Based on the interview with Jim Allen, a premier Japanese baseball reporter, there are several key factors surrounding Roki Sasaki's potential move from the Chiba Lotte Marines to Major League Baseball:
The Backstory
Sasaki was highly sought after by Japanese teams when he turned pro, with 11 of the 12 teams meeting with him. However, only 4 teams ended up drafting him, hinting at his desire to eventually play in MLB.
There were rumors last year that Sasaki wanted to be posted for the MLB, but the Chiba Lotte Marines denied this. It's believed they were trying to convince him to stay in Japan for a few more seasons.