The St. Joseph Jokers remain undecided on their top overall selection in the 2023 Reserve Draft according to sources. The Jokers have placed Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki at the top of their board from a talent perspective, but the uncertainty about his ETA is giving some pause to the selection.
The actual question is whether or not Sasaki would even want to come over. MLB is considered the top league in the world, but NPB is a strong No. 2 and not every player has the same priorities or desires. Some individuals prefer to remain in Japan for personal or professional reasons that outweigh competing against MLB talent.
Should Sasaki decide he wants to pursue a career in North America, then he'll have to make another important decision: how much does he care about money? That's because the cruel irony of MLB's rules governing international free agents is that they deter the world's best players from joining the league as soon as possible.
Under the current agreement, players who are younger than 25 years old (or who have fewer than six years of professional experience) are subject to the international bonus pool system that also applies to true international amateur free agents (e.g., the teenagers who sign each July 2). That policy greatly limits the signing bonus potential of these players, and explains why Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels for less than the 30th pick in the draft despite being a big-league-ready phenom.
Everything is subject to change should the MLB and MLB Players Association agree to an international draft. For our sake, let's assume they don't. Sasaki would have to figure out if he wants to maximize his earnings. An affirmative answer would have him waiting to make the leap until after he celebrated his 25th birthday and accrues six years of pro experience, putting him on track to debut in the majors come 2027. Alternatively, he could request for his team to "post" him earlier than that. There is no guarantee the Marines would oblige.
If the Jokers do pass on Sasaki, Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio and Nationals outfield James Wood would likely be the next in line for the first overall pick.
Around the RDBL
- The Mets lost a second critical member to their pitching staff today as Lake Merced Goutfish closer Edwin Diaz will undergo season-ending knee surgery. Diaz joins Asti Grape Stompers left-hander Jose Quintana who will miss three months due to a rib injury and is expected to be released.
The Goutfish are still gathering options on the trade front or internally to backfill Diaz's Keeper spot as they look to cope with the news. Diaz has only known the Goutfish organization in the RDBL after bring a Waiver Claim in 2016 and being brought back twice in Auction as a Free Agent.
- The Grapes could have a replacement on their own roster as David Peterson (2FA/$5) is battling Tylor Megill for the 5th starter job in New York. Peterson has not allowed a run in eight innings of work this Spring while Megill has allowed just one run in 8 1/3.
- The injury to Diaz could open the door for the Burlingame Blue Ducks to fill their final Keeper spot internally as David Robertson (2FA/$5) is the likely closer now in New York. Robertson would be a natural choice to slide into the ninth inning, having saved 20 games while posting a 2.40 ERA over 58 appearances for the Cubs and Phillies last season. He carried a 209.0 point projection entering the day, a number that should jump substantially this week.
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