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A top prospect for this year's NPB draft, Rintaro Sasaki, has decided to spurn the Japanese pro league and instead play college baseball in the United States. Sasaki, known as the "Japanese Prince Fielder," holds the all-time Japanese high school home run record with 140 homers. Scouts believe his game will translate well to college ball in the U.S., with a 70 raw power grade and the ability to hit to all fields. However, he is susceptible to velocity up-and-in pitches and currently faces mostly 82-86 mph pitches. Sasaki's decision to play college baseball in the U.S. means he would be eligible for the MLB draft instead of being subject to MLB's international amateur rules. This decision has implications for his future in professional baseball.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is ready for MLB. 🤯 https://t.co/0JWe9iHFUq
In Case You Missed it: Rintaro Sasaki will forgo the Nippon Professional Baseball Draft and attend college in the United States Here is everything you need to know about the 17-year-old superstar ⬇️ https://t.co/667VMHq0bq
Rintaro Sasaki To Pass On NPB Draft, Play U.S. College Ball https://t.co/KOPbzyC5J7 https://t.co/GWHOs6rveu
The 'Japanese Prince Fielder' Who Hit 140 Home Runs In High School Is Going To Play College Baseball In The U.S. Instead Of Being The No. 1 Pick In The NPB Draft https://t.co/4mHSwyJfim https://t.co/SUt9yxGvGl
Rintaro Sasaki, slugging Japanese phenom, to play college baseball in U.S., per report https://t.co/pxmRcJnX6Z
By coming to the U.S. for college, Rintaro Sasaki would not be subject to MLB’s international amateur rules but instead would be eligible for the MLB draft More on what the Japanese superstar's decision means for his future ⬇️ https://t.co/667VMHq0bq
The 'Japanese Prince Fielder' Who Hit 140 Home Runs In High School Is Going To Play College Baseball In The U.S. Instead Of Being The No. 1 Pick In The NPB Draft @ConnerHKnapp https://t.co/WuDo4ZD7lN
News: the top prospect for this year's NPB draft, a slugging 1B with the all-time Japanese HS HR record, has spurned the Japanese pro league to go to an American college. Why his NIL path is very complicated, scouting grades, and his draft outlook: https://t.co/hrmljdUVK6
Spoke to a couple scouts re: Rintaro Sasaki - Game will likely translate to stateside college ball - 70 raw power - Barrel plays to all-fields - Susceptible to velocity up-and-in - Sees mostly 82-86 mph now - Shohei Ohtani's dad was his coach in Jr high https://t.co/Hx2rJbXm0u