How the Monster of the Reiwa Era conquered baseball on two continents
In short: Born in Rikuzentakata, Roki Sasaki survived the 2011 tsunami to become a legendary Japanese pitcher. Known as the Monster of the Reiwa Era, he threw a perfect game in 2022 before moving to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he secured a World Series title in his debut 2025 season.
Roki Sasaki’s journey began in Iwate Prefecture, where he was born in 2001. His early life was marked by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which destroyed his home and claimed the lives of his father and grandparents. Despite these hardships, Sasaki developed into a generational talent at Ōfunato High School, where he set a Japanese high school record with a 101 mph fastball. This velocity earned him the nickname 'The Monster of the Reiwa Era,' a nod to Daisuke Matsuzaka’s 'Monster of the Heisei Era' moniker.
Drafted first overall by the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2019, Sasaki was carefully managed to protect his arm, sitting out the 2020 season. His professional breakout arrived in 2022 when he threw a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes, tying the NPB record for strikeouts in a single game with 19. During that outing, he set a world record by striking out 13 consecutive batters. His dominance continued in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he helped Japan secure a gold medal, drawing comparisons from MLB executives to the highly anticipated prospect Stephen Strasburg.
In 2025, Sasaki transitioned to Major League Baseball, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Due to his age, he began on a minor league deal before joining the major league roster. His debut season was defined by both injury and triumph; after a stint on the injured list for a shoulder impingement, he returned to play a pivotal role in the postseason. He earned two saves in the National League Division Series and contributed to the Dodgers' World Series victory, cementing his status as a premier international talent.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Roki Sasaki
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