With the Major League Baseball draft just days away, Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki faces a career decision that has baseball fans on both sides of the Pacific salivating.

He can pursue his MLB dream through the draft, accept a compelling offer from a top Japanese team, or return to Stanford University for another year. 

The intense spotlight on the 21-year-old first baseman stems from the October 2025 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft.

In a move that stunned the venue, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks used their first-round pick on the U.S.-based college player—a “surprise pick” given Sasaki’s stated goal of playing in the majors and the possibility of not signing him. 

After a competing bid from the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, SoftBank won the exclusive negotiating rights.

A recent agreement between NPB and MLB allowing players at U.S. universities to be eligible for both drafts made this unprecedented situation possible.

Pitcher Kenny Ishikawa, 22, a sixth-round pick for the Orix Buffaloes last fall out of the University of Georgia, is in a similar position.

Sasaki’s baseball pedigree is unmatched. He hails from Hanamaki Higashi High School, the same alma mater as Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, and clubbed a Japanese high school record of 140 home runs under his father, coach Hiroshi Sasaki.

Despite being a surefire first-round pick in 2023, he bypassed the NPB draft to enroll at Stanford, stating a desire to “do well in both my studies and baseball.”

In his sophomore season at Stanford, the 184-centimeter, 120-kilogram slugger showed a power surge at the plate, more than doubling his home run total from seven to 16 while maintaining a .262 batting average.

THE PITCH FROM HOME

The Hawks have made it clear they hold him in the highest regard.

During a July 1 meeting, the team rolled out the red carpet, promising Sasaki the coveted uniform number 1 and presenting video messages from franchise legends such as team chairman Sadaharu Oh and owner Masayoshi Son.

“Including his character, I believe he can become a player who will lead the Hawks for many years to come,” said Kenji Johjima, the team’s chief baseball officer and a former Seattle Mariners catcher.

Sasaki appeared impressed, calling the Hawks’ facilities “a dream-like place, a wonderful environment where you wouldn’t lack for anything.”

If he signs, he could make his debut with the top team this season.

However, this path comes with a significant caveat: it would likely require nine years of service time to gain international free agency, and the Hawks have a history of not allowing players to leave for MLB earlier via the posting system.

TWO PATHS, ONE GOAL

For MLB scouts, Sasaki showcased his skills by launching a 140-meter home run at the Draft Combine in June.

But while his power is undeniable, the draft class is loaded with similar first baseman/designated hitter prospects. 

The official MLB website projects him as a mid-round pick, likely between the seventh and 12th rounds.

The slugger himself remains undecided. When asked about his criteria for choosing, he said, “There are still many uncertain parts, and I haven’t been able to figure it all out.”

Sasaki could also opt to return to Stanford for his junior year where he could continue to work on his game. 

While another season could help him acclimate further and potentially raise his draft stock, it also carries risk, as college players’ valuations can sometimes drop as they get older.

This choice would also void the Hawks’ negotiating rights, which expire on July 31, resetting the entire process for this fall’s NPB draft and next summer’s MLB draft.

While weighing his professional future, Sasaki has also emphasized his commitment to his education, stating his intent to eventually complete his degree regardless of the baseball path he chooses.