Marlins Value Shane Sasaki’s On-Base Skills And Speed
Outfielder Shane Sasaki gave himself a specific task last winter.
“My goal was to get to more pitches consistently while impacting the ball,” he said. “I think I’ve got that down . . . or I’m getting close.”
The Marlins acquired Sasaki from the Rays on March 27 as part of the three-team deal that sent Jon Berti to the Yankees.
Miami assigned the 23-year-old Sasaki to Double-A Pensacola, where he hit .243/.312/.310 in 20 April games in his first exposure to the level. He stole 13 bases in 14 tries.
Leaving the Rays—the organization that drafted him in the third round in 2019 out of high school in Hawaii—was surprising.
“It was sad,” Sasaki said. “The Rays organization was like a second home to me.”
The Marlins clearly believe in Sasaki. First-year president of baseball operations Peter Bendix was with Tampa Bay when the organization drafted Sasaki.
Back then, Sasaki had a college scholarship offer to play for Cal Poly. Instead, he signed a below-slot deal with the Rays.
He struggled his first two years in the minors, hitting a combined .180. During that time, he suffered a collapsed lung while hiking in Hawaii—a huge setback.
Ultimately, Sasaki’s breakthrough came in the second half of 2022, and he carried that momentum into last year. He is speed-oriented player who owns a career .380 on-base percentage as a pro.
Sasaki said he has gained 20 pounds of muscle over the past two years and now checks in at 6 feet, 185 pounds.
“He’s a throwback player with plus speed,” Pensacola coach Kevin Randel said. “He’s a solid leadoff guy who can play all three outfield spots above average.”
Though he’s a righthanded hitter, Sasaki said he studies Shohei Ohtani’s sweet lefty swing.
“I’m always trying to impact the baseball, but I’m never going to give up what I’m good at—making contact, getting on base and using my speed,” Sasaki said.
“Even if I hit a bloop single, I’m still on first base.”
