Rōki Sasaki born November 3, 2001 known as “the Monster of the Reiwa Era is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He made his NPB debut in 2021. Sasaki set a Japanese high school baseball record with a fastball reaching 163 km/h (101 mph).
Rōki Sasaki Biography 2024
The Chiba Lotte Marines selected him as the first overall pick in the 2019 NPB draft. To protect the young pitcher from overuse injuries, the team waited until the 2021 season to have him debut in the league. On April 10, 2022, Sasaki threw a perfect game, tying the NPB record for most strikeouts in a game and setting a new record for consecutive strikeouts.
Rōki Sasaki Biography Details
Born: November 3, 2001 (age 23)
Rikuzentakata, Iwate, Japan |
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| Win–loss record | 29–15 |
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| Earned run average | 2.10 |
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| Strikeouts | 505 |
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Rōki Sasaki Early Life
Sasaki hails from Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Born in 2001, he was named after the villain Rouki from Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, a Super Sentai series that aired in the same year. In 2011, when Sasaki was in third grade, the devastating Great East Japan earthquake struck. The tsunami that followed destroyed his home, and tragically, his father and grandparents lost their lives. Sasaki, along with his mother and two brothers, had to live in a nursing home during the aftermath and recovery. The family relocated to Ōfunato the following year, where Sasaki began playing baseball at his new school.
Rōki Sasaki Background
Detail | Description |
Place of Birth | Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, Japan |
Date of Birth | November 3, 2001 |
Family Tragedy | Sasaki’s family was affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, losing their house, and his father and grandparents in the resulting tsunami. |
Nickname Origin | Sasaki was named after the villain Rouki from the Super Sentai show Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, which aired in the same year he was born. |
Initial Baseball Interest | Sasaki started playing baseball after moving to Ōfunato, Iwate, where he continued his passion for the sport. |
Amateur Career and High School Performance
Heading | Details |
High School Choice | Sasaki chose to attend Ofunato High School to stay with his teammates, despite offers from other prestigious schools. |
Fastball Record | Sasaki set a high school record with a 163 km/h (101 mph) fastball, surpassing the previous record held by Shohei Ohtani. |
Nickname | His fastball speed earned him the nickname “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” a reference to Daisuke Matsuzaka’s “Monster of the Heisei Era.” |
Major League Interest | MLB scouts were interested in Sasaki, but he chose to play in Japan’s High School Baseball Championship before declaring for the NPB draft. |
Professional Career Highlights
Key Event | Description |
NPB Draft | Sasaki was selected first overall by the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 2019 NPB draft. |
NPB Debut | Sasaki made his NPB debut on May 16, 2021, for the Chiba Lotte Marines. |
Perfect Game (2022) | On April 10, 2022, Sasaki pitched a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes, tying the NPB record for strikeouts and setting a new world record for consecutive strikeouts. |
Strikeout Records | Sasaki recorded 19 strikeouts in a single game, setting a new NPB record, and 13 consecutive strikeouts, a new world record. |
Performance in 2022
Heading | Details |
Perfect Game Against Orix Buffaloes | Sasaki’s perfect game on April 10, 2022, was the 16th in NPB history, and he struck out 19 batters, tying the NPB record. |
Record Consecutive Strikeouts | He set a world record with 13 consecutive strikeouts, surpassing MLB’s best streak of 10 consecutive strikeouts. |
Consecutive Batters Retired | Sasaki retired 52 consecutive batters in 2022, breaking the NPB record. |
International Career and World Baseball Classic (WBC)
Heading | Details |
2023 WBC Performance | Sasaki pitched for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, contributing to their gold medal win. |
Start Against Czech Republic | Sasaki’s first start in the WBC came on March 11, where he pitched 3+2⁄3 innings, allowing two hits and recording eight strikeouts. |
Start Against Mexico (Semifinals) | In the WBC semifinal, Sasaki pitched four innings, allowing three runs and recording three strikeouts. |
Gold Medal | Sasaki helped Japan win the gold medal at the 2023 WBC, defeating the United States in the final. |
Performance Insights in the 2023 WBC
Heading | Details |
Fastball Velocity | Sasaki’s four-seam fastball averaged 100.5 mph and peaked at 101.9 mph during the WBC. |
Split-Finger Fastball | His split-finger fastball averaged 91.2 mph and generated significant vertical break. |
Playing Style
Feature | Description |
Height and Weight | Sasaki stands at 6’4″ (1.92 m) and weighs 203 lbs (92 kg). |
Pitching Style | Right-handed pitcher with a three-quarters delivery. |
Pitch Arsenal | Sasaki throws a fastball, forkball, curveball, and slider, with the forkball being his most effective off-speed pitch. |
Fastball Speed | His fastball can reach up to 165 km/h (102.5 mph), making it one of the fastest in NPB. |
2023 Performance and Stats
Category | Stat |
2023 Fastball Speed | 165 km/h (102.5 mph) |
ERA (2023) | 2.02 ERA in 2023 season |
Strikeouts (2023) | 173 strikeouts in 129+1/3 innings |
Sasaki Impact on NPB and MLB Comparisons
Heading | Details |
MLB Scouts’ Interest | Sasaki’s pitching talent has drawn comparisons to top MLB pitchers like Stephen Strasburg, drawing the attention of MLB scouts. |
Record Comparisons | Sasaki’s records in strikeouts and consecutive batters retired have been compared to major league records. |
Record-Breaking Performances
Heading | Details |
Consecutive Strikeouts | Sasaki’s 13 consecutive strikeouts set a world record for consecutive strikeouts in a single game. |
Perfect Game | The perfect game he pitched in 2022 is considered one of the best performances in NPB history. |
Rōki Sasaki Net Worth
Information not Available.
Rōki Sasaki Summary
Rōki Sasaki is a pitching prodigy in Japanese baseball, known for his explosive fastball and exceptional control. His journey from overcoming personal tragedy to setting world records in strikeouts highlights his resilience and talent. Sasaki’s dominance in NPB, paired with his stellar international performances, makes him one of the most exciting pitchers of his generation. His records, including his perfect game and consecutive strikeout achievements, solidify his status as a future star in both NPB and potentially MLB, where he could one day make an even greater impact.
