Marlins Draft Rintaro Sasaki, Faces Decision Between MLB and NPB Career

(Central News Agency, Los Angeles, 12th -综合外电报道) On the second day of the Major League Baseball draft, the Miami Marlins selected Japanese power hitter Rintaro Sasaki in the 8th round today. The former 'monster high schooler' currently plays for a U.S. college baseball team and now faces a crucial decision: whether to launch his professional career in the United States or return to Japan.

According to AFP, Sasaki holds the Japanese high school home run record and moved to the U.S. in 2023, playing the past two seasons for Stanford University. Because he enrolled in an American university, he is eligible for both MLB and NPB drafts.

In Japan, Sasaki was selected in the first round last October by both the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. If he chooses to play professionally in Japan, the SoftBank Hawks will hold exclusive negotiation rights.

The 21-year-old Sasaki also has the option to remain at Stanford University. In the 2025 season, he hit 16 home runs, drew 45 walks, and struck out 50 times.

Sasaki's background shares many similarities with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Both attended Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan, where Ohtani was coached by Sasaki's father, Yo Sasaki.

Before entering high school, Rintaro Sasaki also participated in youth baseball competitions under the guidance of Ohtani's father, Toru Ohtani.

The SoftBank Hawks hope Sasaki will decide to return to Japan before his exclusive negotiation window expires on July 31. However, Sasaki has stated he has not yet decided between staying in the U.S. or returning home.

In this year's MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick, while the Tampa Bay Rays chose Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson with the second pick. (Translation: Hsu Hsiang-ping) 1150713

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