{
  "id": 17287311,
  "title": "Major-League Dreams: Japanese High Schoolers Pioneer a New Path to the MLB",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/major-league-dreams-japanese-high-schoolers-pioneer-a-new-path-to-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T21:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nippon.com",
    "slug": "nippon-com",
    "url": "https://www.nippon.com/en/articles/-/56274"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Major-League Dreams: Japanese High Schoolers Pioneering a New Path to the MLB\n\nJapanese high school baseball player Sasaki Rintarō has sparked a growing trend as he forgoes the traditional route to the Japanese pro league to pursue a career in Major League Baseball (MLB). This bold move follows in the footsteps of other Japanese high school athletes like Ohtani Shōhei and Kikuchi Yūsei, who have already made their mark in MLB. Sasaki's decision to head to the United States for college ball at Stanford University rather than playing for Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has left the Japanese baseball world in awe. Despite the challenges ahead, Sasaki remains determined to succeed in the MLB, vowing to work on improving his skills in hitting, defense, baserunning, and even language acquisition. Other Japanese athletes are also following suit, looking to study and play in the United States to broaden their horizons both on and off the field. Athlete Brand Japan, a company founded by former Mizuno executive Nemoto Shingo, offers support to Japanese students and athletes seeking overseas opportunities, with nearly 1,400 athletes having benefited from their services since 2003.",
  "summary": "Sasaki Rintarō, who played college baseball at Stanford University before signing with the Miami Marlins, is part of a growing trend: Japanese high school baseball players bypassing the NPB and heading to US colleges in pursuit of careers in Major League Baseball. Young athletes in other sports are also going abroad to study, seeking opportunities to broaden their horizons both on and off the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Sasaki Rintarō forgoes traditional MLB route for MLB career.",
    "Other Japanese athletes follow Sasaki's path to MLB.",
    "Athlete Brand Japan assists Japanese students in overseas opportunities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}