Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki reportedly makes Marlins, NPB decision

With the 235th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins selected Japan's all-time high school home run leader. That title belongs to first baseman Rintaro Sasaki, who played two seasons of college baseball at Stanford. The Japanese slugger's improved offensive numbers (16 HR, .952 OPS) in his sophomore year helped him land with the Marlins. But Sasaki's draft rights were also held by Nippon Professional Baseball's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan. Sasaki had a decision to make. Sign with the Marlins or return to his home country to play with the Hawks. Apparently, his mind is made up. "Rintaro Sasaki has reportedly elected to sign with the Miami Marlins," Yakyu Cosmopolitan wrote on X.The initial report came from SANSPO, a daily newspaper in Japan. Sasaki's decision will probably cost