This week, buzz filled the baseball community when Roki Sasaki was hailed as the top overall prospect in Major League Baseball by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
This recognition only enhances the value of his impressive $6.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
As a result of this prestigious ranking, the Dodgers are now in a position to earn a coveted draft pick, provided certain criteria are met.
If Sasaki not only makes the Opening Day roster or is called up shortly into the season, but also secures the Rookie of the Year title or ranks among the top three in MVP or Cy Young voting within the next three years, the Dodgers will gain an additional draft pick.
Potential Impact of Sasaki’s Rookie Season
Currently, Sasaki is the frontrunner for the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year award, with BetMGM placing his odds at an appealing +200.
This potential opportunity arises from MLB’s Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI), which aims to discourage teams from manipulating the service time of promising young players.
To qualify for a draft pick, a player must meet three specific conditions: he should be Rookie eligible at the season’s start, accumulate a near-complete season’s worth of service time, and feature on at least two Top 100 prospect lists compiled by reputable sources like Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and ESPN.
For context, the Kansas City Royals are set to pick 28th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft due to Bobby Witt Jr.’s success last season, where he finished top three in the American League MVP voting.
There is a stipulation excluding “foreign professionals” 25 years and older from draft-pick eligibility, yet Sasaki, at just 23, fits the profile of a typical player on a minor-league contract.
This classification allowed MLB teams to sign him for significantly less than what he might command in free agency.
Questions arose about Sasaki’s inclusion in the rankings due to his unconventional background, but he officially made the cut as an international amateur free agent, despite having played professionally in Japan for five years prior.
Rivals for the NL Rookie of the Year
The Dodgers must be thrilled with this development, especially following an exciting offseason filled with renewed hope and energy.
In the race for the NL Rookie of the Year title, Sasaki is not entirely alone.
Trailing closely behind in BetMGM’s odds is Dylan Crews, an outfielder for the Washington Nationals drafted second overall in 2023.
Having made a strong MLB debut late in the previous season, Crews has odds set at +400 and is recognized as MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 prospect.
Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs, another contender listed with +400 odds, is a shortstop ranked No. 19 on the MLB Pipeline’s prospect list.
Though not as well-known as Crews, Shaw has the potential to secure the starting third baseman position for his team on Opening Day.
After this dynamic duo, the odds widen considerably, featuring Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler at +1000 and Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar at +1400.
Interestingly, for those wondering, Sasaki holds +5000 odds for the 2025 NL Cy Young Award.
Roki Sasaki, who is 23 years old, was formally introduced to the Dodger faithful at a press event on January 22, 2025.
His position atop the overall prospect lists is backed by formidable talent, showcasing a fastball that can soar to 100 mph, along with an impressive splitter that has drawn praise from expert analysts.
With an impressive 2.02 ERA in Japan’s NPB, his health, however, remains an essential factor to watch.
Notably, Sasaki stands as one of six Dodgers listed in Pipeline’s Top 100, particularly remarkable since the team hasn’t had a top 20 draft slot since 2016 and hasn’t selected in the top 10 since taking Clayton Kershaw in 2006.
Joining Roki are catcher Dalton Rushing at No. 30, outfielder Josue De Paula at No. 40, pitcher Jackson Ferris at No. 71, shortstop Alex Freeland at No. 72, and outfielder Zyhir Hope at No. 75.
In a broader perspective, these six prospects equal the total number held by the rest of the NL West combined, highlighting the Dodgers’ impressive commitment to scouting and player development over the last decade.
This is an exhilarating period for the organization, brimming with potential and exciting promises for the future!
