MLB: Japanese Slugger Rintaro Sasaki is blazing his own baseball trail in the US via Stanford, MLB Draft League

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — When the balls start landing on the Stanford football team’s practice turf, far beyond the wall in right-center field, everyone knows Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki has batting practice at nearby Sunken Diamond.

Even the swim coaches have trained themselves to be on high alert on the pool deck, more than 450 feet away, in case the left-handed Sasaki somehow sends someone that far — and they think he will soon enough.

His coach is counting on it.

He might splash a few, Stanford coach David Esquer said. “He’s definitely headed for the pool.”

Sasaki, who hit 140 home runs in high school and then made waves by opting out of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League draft, has spent more than two months immersed in classes and a new culture on the Stanford Bay Area campus. He’s learning English and settling into a baseball routine, including road trips with the team, before beginning his collegiate career in earnest this fall.

The 19-year-old hit a two-run homer and an RBI single in his American debut Tuesday in the MLB Draft League. He played for the Trenton Thunder alongside more players who hope to one day develop into Major League players. The Thunder won 11-1 in Frederick, Maryland, and Sasaki is set to make his home debut Friday in New Jersey.

Before leaving town, the smart Sasaki reminded Esquer that his matches are streamed so the coach can watch. He has also asked for help finding another team once the Draft League season ends.

He’s looking forward to it, says Esquer, the seventh-year Stanford coach who previously spent 18 seasons at rival California. “He wants to play.”

And Sasaki hardly seems fazed by the expectations that come with being some kind of trendsetter, as he forges his own unique path. He comes across as mature beyond his years as he discusses the importance of finding something to fall back on after his baseball career is over. Most Japanese players – including Dodgers twin star Shohei Ohtani – first turn pro at home, often with the goal of coming to the United States with years of experience.

Sasaki is determined to build a foundation for his life well into the future, long after his baseball days are over. His father, Hiroshi, who coached Ohtani and Toronto pitcher Yusei Kikuchi in high school, instilled in him from an early age the need to “make a plan.” Sasaki notes that he heard it so many times that there was no way it would become ingrained in him.

Another important message from his father: “I have to earn it. Nothing comes for free,” Sasaki said during a recent interview at Sunken Diamond, Stanford’s baseball field.

There is no precedent for a Japanese elite like Sasaki abandoning his country’s draft system. International players with nine years of professional service can come to Major League Baseball as free agents, while pros with less than nine years can ask to be assigned to their Japanese club – a system in which that team receives compensation depending on the size of their team. the player’s contract.

Yet Major League teams have agreed to strict spending limits for international players under the age of 25. That’s why Ohtani, who left Japan at age 23, signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 for just over $2.3 million.

Studying in the US will make Sasaki eligible for the draft in three years, accelerating his potential path to the big leagues. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes, received a $9.2 million signing bonus.

While Sasaki aspires to one day play at the highest level, he emphasizes that the focus now is on taking the necessary steps to achieve that while first enjoying his college career.

Junpei Tomonaga, an old family friend, offers help as an interpreter when Sasaki needs it, but he is determined to do it himself sooner or later.

Sasaki acknowledges that Ohtani’s stardom and success here, along with Kikuchi’s, had a major impact on him.

They are the ones who influenced my decision, he said.

Sasaki is away from home for the first time and insists he is doing well thanks to all the support around him.

I never miss Japan, he said. “I enjoy the challenge.”

And there’s no doubt that Sasaki is excited to be somewhere like Stanford.

Esquer thinks this is a perfect match. He applauds Sasaki for his courage.

It’s very courageous to do what he does: move to another country right after high school, he said.

When Sasaki made his official recruiting visit, members of Stanford’s Japan department and community made a point to come see him so he felt welcome. Not that you’ll hear Sasaki say anything negative about the other two schools that topped his list, California and Vanderbilt.

Stanford is a leading school in America, he said. “I still have great respect for the other schools I attended.”

He has embraced using Uber Eats to order food, like his favorite, Chipotle. Sasaki is studying English and physics – and making sure he speaks good English is his biggest concern at the moment.

He recently completed his first quarter of classes.

He is quietly charismatic despite speaking little English, very impressive, Esquer said. “Everyone is impressed by him, his teammates. He brought energy to the field like he was active and ready to play – and he can play.”

Despite that inconvenience of the language barrier, Sasaki speaks near-perfect English for much of what he has to say. He thanks everyone who welcomed him here and made the adjustment so smooth and comfortable as he starts his new life.

My teammates are so good, they are so nice, he said in English, with a big smile. “I appreciate the teammates, they are always so helpful, also coach Esquer and the other baseball coaches are good (people). I love Stanford baseball.”