Stanford Baseball Lands Japanese Superstar Slugger Rintaro Sasaki KEVIN BORBAFEB 14, 2024 12:12 PM EST https://www.si.com/college/stanford/softball-baseball/stanford-baseball-lands-japanese-superstar-slugger-rintaro-sasaki

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Stanford Baseball Lands Japanese Superstar Slugger Rintaro Sasaki

KEVIN BORBAFEB 14, 2024 12:12 PM EST

The Stanford Cardinal are typically known for being one of the more powerful teams in the country at the plate, but on Tuesday they may have very well landed one of the most sought-after sluggers in the world.

In a release by the program, it was revealed that Japanese superstar first baseman Rintaro Sasaki signed his letter of intent to play for Stanford in 2025. He is taking an unconventional route being that he was projected as the No. 1 pick in the Nippon Professional Baseball league draft, and also considering the NCAA prevents international athletes from receiving money.

Sasaki is set to graduate in March and enroll at Stanford for the spring quarter in April.

Stanford signee Rintaro Sasaki

Stanford signee Rintaro Sasaki

Sasaki has had quite a decorated career, attending the same high school that produced now-Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani. He set the new Japanese high school record for home runs with 140 throughout his career, showcasing elite power nearly every time he puts the bat on the ball. It is also worth noting that he isn't a typical home run or strikeout type of hitter, as it was revealed he walked twice as much as he struck out.

He chose to attend Stanford over programs like Cal, UCLA, and Vanderbilt. Stanford head coach David Esquer seemed quite thrilled in a statement released by the team.

"We are excited to welcome Rintaro into our Stanford family," Clarke and Elizabeth Nelson Director of Baseball David Esquer said following Sasaki's signing in a statement. "He may be the most high-profile international prospect to play college baseball in the United States in a long time. His power bat plays right into our style of play, and we look forward to him contributing immediately to help us achieve our goals of competing for and winning national titles."

Jun 17, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Esquer (8) stands for the national anthem before a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports 

Exclusive Interview With Stanford Baseball Coach David Esquer

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When speaking with Eqsuer recently, he raved about the young arms that Stanford has and said they will need to find their big bats that have so often been littered throughout the lineup. On Tuesday, it became abundantly clear that they for sure found one source of power at the plate.

Kevin Borba

BY KEVIN BORBA

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