Shohei Ohtani’s High Praise for Rintaro Sasaki: Is Japan’s Young Slugger MLB’s Next Big Star?
Shohei Ohtani isn’t one to hand out compliments lightly, so when he does, the baseball world listens. This time, his admiration was directed toward 19-year-old Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki, a rising star who has already started making waves in the baseball world.
A New Name to Watch: Rintaro Sasaki
Sasaki, now playing for Stanford in the NCAA, has shown immense promise. In just four games, he has racked up eight RBIs while hitting .389. However, what truly caught Ohtani’s attention wasn’t just his numbers—it was his swing. In a recent video, a reporter informed Sasaki that Ohtani himself had said that Sasaki’s swing was better than his own. The young hitter, clearly taken aback, laughed and shook his head in disbelief, replying, “No, no, no. Obviously no.” While Ohtani did offer some advice on defense, when it came to Sasaki’s batting, the two-way superstar seemed genuinely impressed.
Shohei Ohtani says 19-year-old Rintaro Sasaki’s swing is better than his 🤯
Sasaki had other thoughts when he heard that
(🎥: @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/vIYmNGFglK
— MLB (@MLB) February 21, 2025
Can Sasaki Live Up to the Hype?
If Sasaki continues his current trajectory, it won’t be long before pitchers start dreading every fastball they throw in his direction. While he remains humble about Ohtani’s praise, there’s no denying that being recognized by one of the greatest players in the game puts a new level of expectation on his shoulders.
A Bold Path: Choosing NCAA Over NPB
Sasaki’s journey is unique—unlike most top Japanese prospects who go straight to Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), he chose to play college ball in the United States. This decision raised eyebrows, as Sasaki had already hit an astonishing 140 home runs in high school, making him a prime candidate for Japan’s professional leagues. Instead, he took a different route, opting for the NCAA, which could significantly impact how Japan’s top talents make their way to the majors in the future.
By choosing college baseball, Sasaki avoids NPB’s nine-year service rule, making him MLB draft-eligible by 2026. It’s a bold but strategic move that could fast-track his career in the big leagues.
A Red-Hot Start at Stanford
Sasaki’s early numbers at Stanford suggest that he’s more than ready for this challenge. In his first series against Cal State Fullerton, he went 6-for-14 at the plate, hitting two doubles and leading his team in RBIs with eight over three games. These performances reinforce the idea that he may have made the right call by bypassing NPB.
Following in Ohtani’s Footsteps?
While some in Japan may view Sasaki’s choice as unconventional, it’s a clear statement of his aspirations. He’s forging his own path, much like Ohtani did before him. Instead of following tradition, Sasaki is carving out a new way for future Japanese prospects who dream of playing in the MLB.
With Ohtani’s unexpected endorsement, Sasaki now carries an even bigger spotlight. Can he live up to the praise, or will the pressure be too much? Either way, baseball fans worldwide will be watching closely as he continues his journey.