Baseball

[ODDS and EVENS] Teenager Rintaro Sasaki Exhibits Talent in the MLB Draft League

Since he made his MLB Draft League debut in mid-June, Iwate Prefecture native Rintaro Sasaki has shown that his mighty swing is the real deal.

by
Ed Odeven
July 12, 2024

Rintaro Sasaki made a smart decision, investing in his future by opting to participate in the MLB Draft League.

Sasaki, 19, could've chosen to spend his 2024 summer vacation lounging by a pool or hanging out at the beach.

Instead, batting practice, fielding practice and baseball games have kept him busy.

As a result, Japanese high school baseball's all-time home-run leader (140 round-trippers) is showcasing his skills in the United States two years before he's eligible to be selected in the MLB Draft. The Stanford University student is also adjusting to American baseball before ever appearing in a college game, and the results have been solid.

Playing for the Trenton Thunder, Sasaki reached base safely in his first 18 games with the team. He also homered in his first game in a Thunder uniform against the Frederick Keys on June 11 in Frederick, Maryland.

Sports reporter Kyle Franko of The Trentonian, a daily newspaper in New Jersey's capital city, has closely followed Sasaki's overall performance since he joined the Thunder. Franko has written numerous articles on the team this summer.

Closely observing Sasaki in the batter's box during games, Franko wrote in a recent tweet that the Japanese slugger reminds him a bit of a former MLB star.

"Rintaro Sasaki adjusting just fine to American baseball," Franko wrote. "Was talking to some people in Trenton the other day about player [comparisons] and [I] see some Prince Fielder."

The hulky Fielder, a six-time All-Star, spent 12 seasons in MLB (2005-16) and smacked 319 career home runs.

Rintaro Sasaki Making a Favorable Impression with the Thunder

In a recent World Baseball Network feature, Thunder manager Adonis Smith and pitching coach Shawn Chacon shared insights on why they believe Sasaki has a bright future as a baseball player.

"He can flat-out play; he understands his swing and how to play the game of baseball," Smith was quoted as saying by the website. "What surprised me was how much power he has for such a young age."

Chacon, who pitched in 269 games in the major leagues from 2001-08 for the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros, explained why he's impressed with Sasaki's talent and potential.

"I think he's got a great swing, and I think he's going to be great," Chacon told the World Baseball Network. "Once he gets comfortable playing this style of baseball, gets his body and legs under him, and understands his body a little bit better, he's going to be a monster," Chacon said of Sasaki, a high-profile graduate of Iwate Prefecture's Hanamaki Higashi High School.

Chacon added, "I feel like it's new for him, the pitching and the way they've attacked him. He's going to need to adjust, and I think he will."

Only A Few Games Remain for Rintaro Sasaki with the Thunder

In the MLB Draft League, during the first half of the season (June 4 to July 13), amateur players along with college players and graduating high school seniors are eligible to play. Sasaki falls under this category.

Each of the six teams in the MLD Draft League is scheduled to play 35 games in the first half of the season, with games held in the American states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.

For the second half of the season, only pro players are eligible to compete.

Through Tuesday, July 9, the Thunder (13-16) had played 29 games. Their Wednesday road game against the Williamsport Crosscutters at Journey Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was canceled due to rain.

If the weather cooperates, Sasaki has up to three more games, all on the road, in a Thunder uniform ― against the Crosscutters on Thursday and a pair against the State College Spikes in State College, Pennsylvania, on Friday and Saturday.

Updated Statistics for Rintaro Sasaki

Making his debut a week after the Thunder's season-opening game, Sasaki has appeared in 22 of their 29 contests, playing first base and designated hitter. He's hit a team-best four homers and leads the club in RBIs (16). In 77 at-bats, he has two doubles and has struck out 21 times. He's also walked 18 times.

What’s more, his bat speed and hand-eye coordination have grabbed people’s attention.

Among the left-handed phenom's four homers to date was an opposite-field blast in the fourth inning against the visiting Spikes on June 26. He also ripped a fastball for a first-inning grand slam to left-center on July 3 versus the Keys, a game in which five Trenton pitchers combined for a no-hitter.

Rintaro Sasaki is poised to join Stanford's storied baseball program for the 2025 season.

In the meantime, he should be proud of his accomplishments in the MLB Draft League. Consider it time well spent in preparing for his future.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.