Japan phenom Roki Sasaki and his 102 mph fastball had MLB fans begging their teams to sign him

That bidding war is going to be WILD.

Monday night’s World Baseball Classic semifinal between Japan and Mexico was one of the more exciting games of the entire tournament. But from the very beginning, MLB fans were tuning in to watch one player (and no, it wasn’t Shohei Ohtani).

Japan pitching phenom Roki Sasaki made his first start on U.S. soil in Japan’s eventual 6-5 win, and the 21-year-old didn’t disappoint.

Sasaki sparked global attention last year when he threw the first NPB perfect game since 1994 and threw an additional eight perfect innings the following start before getting pulled due to pitch count. He boasts a fastball that tops out at 103 mph and an already-elite splitter.

Monday was the first time many MLB fans had a chance to see Sasaki pitch against top competition, and it didn’t take long for their jaws to collectively drop. He started the game with a strikeout of Randy Arozarena, blowing a 102 mph fastball right by him.

Nearly every fastball he threw was at least 100 mph. He wasn’t messing around.

Of course, the night wasn’t perfect for Sasaki. His one mistake — a splitter that floated over the heart of the plate — ended up being a three-run home run for Brewers infielder Luis Urias.

But this was still a 21-year-old with absolutely elite stuff on the mound. Sasaki likely won’t arrive to MLB until he is 25 (so after the 2026 season), but there is a chance that he follows Ohtani’s lead and asks to go through the posting process early.

If that happens, he’ll have no shortage of suitors. MLB fans were already clamoring for their teams to get in on the Sasaki sweepstakes.