Rintaro Sasaki's Next Move Could Shape His Baseball Career
By: Eva Li
Rintaro Sasaki has taken a different path than most of Japan’s top baseball prospects. Instead of entering Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) straight out of high school, the former home run record holder chose to attend Stanford University and compete in college baseball. Now, after being selected by the Miami Marlins in the 2026 MLB Draft, Sasaki must decide where he wants to begin his professional career.
When Sasaki first arrived at Stanford, many people—coaches, teammates, and other students—were curious whether his talent would translate to American baseball. His first season showed promise, but undefined He became one of the team’s best hitters, finishing the season with 16 home runs and a undefined undefined. Scouts also noticed that he was more patient at the plate and looked much more comfortable against advanced and heavier pitching.
Those improvements helped convince the Marlins to draft him in the undefined. Although he wasn’t selected in the early rounds, Miami believes he has the potential to develop into a major league player. The organization now has to wait for Sasaki to decide whether he wants to begin his professional career in the United States.
The decision isn’t as simple as choosing one league over another. If Sasaki returns to Japan, he could play against experienced professionals in NPB while earning a larger salary right away. Many Japanese stars like Hiroki Kuroda have taken that route before eventually moving to Major League Baseball. Signing with the Marlins, however, would allow him to continue the journey he started when he left Japan for Stanford. Although he would most likely spend time in the minor leagues, he would be one step closer to reaching the majors.
No matter what Sasaki decides, his story has already been unusual. Few elite Japanese prospects have skipped the NPB draft to play college baseball in the United States. That choice alone made him one of the most closely watched international players over the past two seasons. His next decision could change and redirect how other young players think about their own futures.
Sasaki is expected to make his decision in the coming weeks. Whether he signs with the Marlins or returns to Japan, his choice will determine where one of baseball’s most promising young hitters begins his professional career.
