All the talk around Team Japan may be about Shohei Ohtani but keep a close eye on Roki Sasaki. He has been one of the star pitchers in Nippon Professional Baseball and is now showing what he can do on the world stage.

The flamethrowing righty started his first game of the tournament against Team Czech Republic on Saturday and did not disappoint. Aside from a double he gave up early in the game, Sasaki was nearly flawless on the evening. The 21-year-old shows a level of maturity, control and efficiency that is rare for a player of his age.

What a WBC debut for Roki Sasaki 👏8 strikeouts in 3.2 IP 🔥 https://t.co/wtj1idih2x

In his debut performance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Roki Sasaki threw 3.2 innings and allowed no earned runs. He finished with a whopping eight strikeouts and allowed just two hits on the night. He threw 66 pitches, of which 45 were strikes.

Prior to the tournament, there was a lot of talk about his abilities, but few outside of Japan had witnessed the youngster in action. WBC fans were impressed by what they saw from the Japanese pitcher.

@TalkinBaseball_ He will be the best pitcher in the MLB when he comes over

@PitchingNinja 21 years old throwing gas. What are these Japanese pitchers on 🤯

@PitchingNinja The movement on his pitches 😳

@MLBONFOX @GigiGissele Shohei did not lie to Mike Trout when he said he is not the best player in Japan roster.

@PitchingNinja His official record for fastest pitch is the same as Ohtani’s.

@MLBONFOX future yankee

@MLBONFOX @RaysBaseball sign him

@MLBONFOX And hes only 21 https://t.co/5lRxSaFzOU

@PitchingNinja Only 21 yo. What a talent.

Baseball fans from around the globe were stunned to see a young pitcher controlling the game so effortlessly. Fans cannot wait to see what he will be able to do in the majors. One fan went on to say that Sasaki would be the best pitcher in MLB if he were to come over.

Roki Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani, and Yu Darvish make Team Japan's rotation one of the most dangerous at the WBC

Roki Sasaki of Samurai Japan in action during the training session at Sugimoto Shoji Buffaloes Stadium in Osaka, Japan.

Led by 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani, Team Japan boasts one of the strongest starting rotations in the tournament.

San Diego Padres Yu Darvish is a five-time All-Star. The highly-rated 24-year-old righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto is another exciting member of the rotation.

At 21 years old, Roki Sasaki still has time to develop. Fans have been impressed by what they have seen so far from the Chiba Lotte Marines pitcher. Numerous MLB scouts will be keeping an eye on the young prospect.

If Japan's rotation can remain healthy, they will be a tough team to beat as the tournament goes on.

Edited by Sahir Bhojwani

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