MIAMI — Japanese-born first baseman Rintaro Sasaki, 21, announced he will sign with the Miami Marlins, ending a three-way decision between the club, Stanford University and Nippon Professional Baseball’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

“I, Rintaro Sasaki, have decided to play for the Miami Marlins,” Sasaki said at a news conference in his hometown of Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture. “More than anyone else, I understand that I still have a lot to prove. I know better than anyone that I have a long way to go.”

The Marlins selected Sasaki in the eighth round of this month’s MLB Draft — 235th overall — a pick valued at $239,200. Sasaki had been projected as the No. 1 selection in the 2024 NPB Draft but chose Stanford instead, giving himself a more direct path to a big league organization rather than waiting nine years to become an international free agent or having a Japanese team post him.

The gamble paid off statistically. After hitting seven homers and posting a .790 OPS in 2025, Sasaki broke out this year with 16 homers, a .952 OPS and nearly as many walks (45) as strikeouts (50) in 2026. Both the SoftBank Hawks and Yokohama DeNA BayStars had selected him in the first round of the NPB Draft last October, with the Hawks winning exclusive negotiating rights.

“Even if this path ultimately turns out to be the wrong one, I don’t want to live with any regrets,” Sasaki said. “Rather than measuring my life by whether I succeed or fail, I want to measure it by whether I had the courage to take on a challenge. That belief is what led me to make this decision.”

Sasaki expressed gratitude to both Japanese clubs. “I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars for believing in me and selecting me in the first round of the NPB Draft,” he said. “In particular, I want to thank the SoftBank Hawks. Even before the draft, they traveled to the United States several times to meet with me, prepared extensive materials, and welcomed me warmly during my visit to their facilities in Fukuoka. They treated me with tremendous sincerity and respect, and I am deeply grateful for everything they did.”

He closed with a declaration of purpose: “I believe it is both my mission and my destiny to help forge a new path. With that in mind, I will give everything I have in America.”

Frankie Piliere, Marlins vice president of amateur forecasting and player evaluation initiatives, had acknowledged the uncertainty after the draft. “It’s ultimately, like you said, a difficult decision,” Piliere said. “Rintaro has a lot of good options, and I think he’ll choose the one that’s best for him. He’s put himself in a position where he can make those great choices. Very lucky in that way. Not many of those players have those types of outstanding options, but we’ll see. He’s put himself in a great spot, and excited to see what he decides.”

Sasaki is expected to sign his contract with the Marlins and begin his professional career in the club’s minor league system.