Rōki Sasaki: Salary| Height and weight| Crying| Injury| Fastest pitch

Introduction

Rōki Sasaki has emerged as one of the most talked-about pitchers in recent baseball history. From his startling velocity on the mound to the human side of emotions, and the physical setbacks he has faced, his journey is rich in detail. In this article, we’ll delve into his salary, physical measurements (height and weight), his emotional moment of crying, the injuries he’s dealt with, and his blistering fastest pitch record.

1. Background & Rise to Prominence

Born on November 3, 2001 in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, Japan, Rōki Sasaki quickly rose through the ranks in Japanese baseball. 
He pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) before making the leap to the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB. His high school record-fastball (163 km/h) earned him the nickname “The Monster of the Reiwa Era”.

2. Salary

• When Sasaki signed with the Dodgers in January 2025, the deal included a US$6.5 million signing bonus.

• As an international signing under the age of 25, his first contract in MLB is modest beyond the bonus. Reports suggest his 2025 salary at the league minimum (around US$760,000) given regulations.

• According to Spotrac, his average salary so far is listed at ~$820,000. 
  Implication for SEO: This shows that despite his high potential, his first contract is constrained by rules — a contrast fans and analysts love.

3. Height & Weight

Accurate physical stats are valuable, especially for scouts and performance analysis.

• According to NPB official data: Height 192 cm (~6′4″), Weight 92 kg (~203 lb).

• Other sources (MLB.com) list him at 6′2″ and 187 lb. 
  So, to summarise:
  Height: ≈ 192 cm (6′4″)
  Weight: ≈ 92 kg (203 lb)
  These measurements make him an imposing figure on the mound, coupled with his fast arm.

4. Fastest Pitch

This is one of Sasaki’s most dramatic attributes and arguably what made him a global sensation.

• In his time in NPB, Sasaki threw a pitch at 165 km/h, which roughly converts to 102.5 mph — tying the Japanese record for fastest pitch by a Japanese player in NPB history.

• In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, his average fastball velocity was around 100 mph, topping out at 101.9 mph.

• His elite velocity is paired with advanced movement, making his heater more than just speed. 
  This kind of speed puts him in rare company among pitchers globally and is a major reason for his buzz.

5. Injury History

Despite his tremendous talent, Sasaki has faced injury setbacks — a critical area for teams, fans, and SEO content alike.

• In NPB, he suffered a left oblique muscle injury, which sidelined him for about two months in 2023.

• Upon joining MLB with the Dodgers, he was placed on the injured list (15-day, later transferred to 60-day) on May 13, 2025 with a right shoulder impingement.

• His velocity dipped in the later part of his Japanese career, with some reports attributing it to underlying physical strain. 
  Injury narratives are important because they inform expectations, potential, and longevity — all great hooks for search audiences.

6. Emotional Moment: Crying

The human side of Sasaki’s journey includes a moment when he visibly broke down, which resonates with fans and can be powerful in storytelling and search keywords like “crying”.

• During his MLB debut and early appearances, Sasaki struggled with control and was seen emotional in the dugout, with media capturing images of him with watery eyes after being pulled.

• The moment highlighted the immense pressure he faces — transitioning from superstar status in Japan to proving himself at the highest level, and dealing with the physical and psychological toll.
  Including this “crying” angle adds depth to his story and addresses the “mental side” of athleticism.

7. Why All These Aspects Matter

For SEO‐optimized articles on current athletes, combining factual data (salary, height, weight, fastest pitch), narrative elements (injury, emotion), and context (international transition, potential) makes for a comprehensive article that engages both casual fans and search engines.

• Keywords such as “Rōki Sasaki fastest pitch”, “Rōki Sasaki height weight”, “Rōki Sasaki salary 2025” target specific search intents.

• The emotional angle “crying” appeals to human interest searches (“why was Rōki Sasaki crying?”)

• The injury component caters to news & analysis searches (“Rōki Sasaki shoulder injury”, “Rōki Sasaki MLB debut injury”)
  Thus, the structure used above ensures we cover multiple angles and keyword clusters.

8. Brief Timeline of Key Moments

• 2019: High school pitch clocked at 163 km/h, national record.

• 2022 (April 10): Threw a perfect game in NPB with 19 strikeouts, 13 consecutive.

• 2023: Played in World Baseball Classic for Japan, averaged ~100 mph fastball.

• Jan 22 2025: Signs with Dodgers, US$6.5 m bonus.

• May 13 2025: Placed on IL with right shoulder impingement.

• Mar/Apr 2025: Visible emotional moment in MLB debut. Rōki Sasaki salary height.

9. What’s Next for Rōki Sasaki?

• Monitor his recovery and return from shoulder issues — how he adapts mechanically could affect his velocity and durability.

• Compare his first MLB seasons vs his Japanese dominance: can he translate the high velocity and movement to MLB hitters?

• Watch for future contract negotiations: given his performance, his salary will likely escalate after arbitration/years of service.

• Keep an eye on his emotional resilience: how he handles failure, adjustment, and pressure will shape his narrative and performance.

FAQs

Q1: How much does Rōki Sasaki earn in 2025?
A1: He signed a US$6.5 million signing bonus in 2025. His base salary is near league minimum (around US$760,000) for 2025 due to international signing rules.

Q2: What are Rōki Sasaki’s height and weight?
A2: According to NPB official records: 192 cm (6′4″) and 92 kg (203 lb). Other sources list 6′2″/187 lb, but the larger measurement appears in his original Japanese league registration.

Q3: What is Rōki Sasaki’s fastest pitch to date?
A3: He has been clocked at 165 km/h (≈102.5 mph) in NPB, tying the Japanese record for fastest pitch.

Q4: Why was Rōki Sasaki seen crying during an MLB game?
A4: Sasaki struggled during his early MLB appearances, especially with control. After being pulled from a start, he was visibly emotional in the dugout, showing the mental stress of adjusting to MLB.

Q5: What injuries has Rōki Sasaki faced so far?
A5: He has had a left oblique muscle injury in 2023 in Japan. In 2025, while with the Dodgers, he was placed on the injured list for a right-shoulder impingement. Rōki Sasaki salary height.

Q6: Can Rōki Sasaki become a top MLB pitcher?
A6: Many scouts believe he has #1-starter potential thanks to his velocity, movement and athleticism. However, factors like durability, adaptation to MLB hitters and command will determine if he becomes elite.

Conclusion

Rōki Sasaki combines exceptional raw talent with a compelling human story. His salary and contract reflect the MLB system’s constraints on international signees; his physical measurements underscore his potential as a power pitcher; his fastest pitch puts him in elite velocity territory; his tears reveal the emotional weight of expectation; and his injuries remind us that even phenoms must battle the body. For fans, analysts, bloggers and SEO-minded writers alike, these multiple facets make him a rich subject to explore.