Roki Sasaki has been named the top prospect in MLB by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, making his $6.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers even more lucrative. If Sasaki makes the Opening Day roster or is promoted within the first two weeks of the season and goes on to win Rookie of the Year or place in the top 3 of MVP or Cy Young voting in the next three seasons, the Dodgers will receive a significant draft pick. Sasaki is currently favored to win the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year award.
The Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) program allows players who meet certain criteria to earn their team a draft pick. The Kansas City Royals, for example, will pick 28th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft because Bobby Witt Jr. finished in the Top 3 in AL MVP voting last year. Sasaki, being 23 years old, qualifies for this program despite being a “foreign professional.”
The Dodgers have had a successful offseason, and Sasaki’s ranking as the top prospect only adds to their excitement. Other contenders for the NL Rookie of the Year award include Dylan Crews of the Washington Nationals and Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs. Sasaki is also listed as a longshot to win the 2025 NL Cy Young Award.
Sasaki’s impressive skills have earned him the top prospect spot, with his fastball reaching speeds of 100 mph and his splitter being highly regarded. Despite not having high draft picks in recent years, the Dodgers have built a strong farm system, with Sasaki leading the pack of six prospects in Pipeline’s Top 100. This investment in scouting and player development has positioned the Dodgers as a powerhouse in the NL West.