The Atlantic Coast Conference Championship of U.S. collegiate baseball held its second round on the 20th (21st Japan time) in Charlotte, North Carolina, where infielder Rintaro Sasaki (2nd year) plays. Stanford University lost to Miami University 2-11. Sasaki hit as the leadoff DH, At Bat 1-for-4. His second season in the U.S. has come to an end.
Negotiations with Softbank Hawks, the team that selected him first overall in last fall's draft, have now begun. Meanwhile, the MLB draft, for which he will be eligible to be drafted for the first time this year, is scheduled for mid-July. "I need to discuss it with my family and come up with some kind of plan," he said, choosing his words carefully. Last year he hit 7 Home Run in 52 games, but this season he has hit 16 in 54 games. "pitcher' speeds are close to professional level. I've had two years of experience, and my ability to adapt has definitely improved," he said, showing increased confidence.
Speaking to reporters at Mizuho PayPay, Softbank Hawks 's General Manager of Player Development, Tomohiro Nagai (50), said, "Even at this stage, I think we made the right decision in drafting him," indicating his high opinion of the player remains unchanged. "I'd like to ask if there's anything they might decide before waiting for their draft. I want to give them a presentation that shows how much I'm expecting from them. I'll also ask them about the timing," he mused.
Chief Baseball Officer Kenji Jojima (49) visited the US last November to formally introduce himself as a draft pick, and front office members have been taking turns visiting the US to monitor his development. General Manager Nagai, one of those members, emphasized his supportive stance, saying, "If he's in the US, there's a good chance we'll go. If he returns to Japan, we might talk to him here." According to a team official, the negotiations will proceed with consideration for his studies, as he has university exams in early June. General Manager Nagai said, "We will do what we can to accommodate his wishes." They will continue to carefully convey their enthusiasm until the deadline of July 31.
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![[Softbank Hawks] Negotiations for Stanford University's first-round draft pick, Rintaro Sasaki, have begun. In his second year in the US, he hit 16 Home Run GM Sugihiko Mikasa said, "He's performing just as we expected."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/21/20260521-OHT1I51254-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Haruto Fujiwara removed from active roster after giving up 5 runs in the third inning of the game against Orix Buffaloes on the 20th Kazuo Ono will also join the farm team.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/21/20260521-OHT1I51231-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Negotiations with Stanford University's Rintaro Sasaki, the first-round draft pick, have finally begun. Tomohiro Nagai, head of player development and scouting, said, "We want to give a presentation regardless."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/21/20260521-OHT1I51142-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Development player Kobayashi Juto holds press conference upon joining the team: "I chose the independent league because I wanted to become like him." He follows in the footsteps of Fujii.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/21/20260521-OHT1I51137-L.jpg)
