Japanese high school phenom Rintaro Sasaki has stated his intention to go to an American college to play baseball.
The Japanese high school career home run leader, Sasaki did not submit his application for the Nippon Professional Baseball draft.
Sasaki is the consensus top prospect among graduating Japanese high school players and was the presumed favorite to be picked first in the upcoming NPB draft.
The 6-foot, 250-pound first baseman attends Hanamaki-Higashi High School, playing for his father, Hiroshi. Shohei Ohtani also played at that high school.