The Los Angeles Dodgers successfully recruited Roki Sasaki, one of the most highly anticipated baseball players this offseason, with the help of current players such as Shohei Ohtani. Throughout the pitching prospect’s free agency process, the Dodgers emphasized their abilities to develop talented young pitchers like Sasaki and help them reach their full potential. While the team initially focused on presentations from executives and coaches, the real selling points were testimonials from Ohtani, former teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and other stars on the team.
Sasaki’s initial interactions with teams were devoid of current players, as he sought to evaluate each club based on their plans for his growth and development. However, as the process continued, the Dodgers managed to secure a second meeting with Sasaki, during which their roster of players helped further convince him to sign with the team.
The presence of players like Ohtani, who has had a successful career since joining the MLB from Japan, was particularly influential in pitching the Dodgers as an ideal destination for Sasaki. The team made sure almost the entire roster was involved in the recruitment process, showcasing their winning culture, resources, and development programs.
Ultimately, Sasaki chose to sign with the Dodgers less than 72 hours after their final meeting, indicating that the influence of players like Ohtani played a significant role in his decision. The Dodgers’ ability to demonstrate how Sasaki could grow and succeed within their organization, backed by testimonials from current stars, proved to be a winning formula in securing the highly sought-after pitcher.
Source
Photo credit www.latimes.com
