Shane Sasaki

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #21 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: After a solid but modest debut in the Florida Complex League in 2021, Sasaki was one of the better players in the Low-A Carolina League in 2022 as he helped the RiverDogs to their second of three straight titles. Sasaki was once again one of the more polished hitters in 2023, this time in the High-A South Atlantic League. He then had a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League, where he stole 13 bases in 13 tries in 22 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Sasaki has simplified his setup as a pro, raising his hands but toning down a coil and timing step he once used. It has helped him get on time more consistently, and he’s developed into a line-drive hitter who tries to hit the ball up the middle or to right field, the opposite field for the righthanded hitter. Sasaki is a top- or bottom-of-the-order tablesetter with below-average power. A nearly double-plus runner, Sasaki is also an above-average defender in center field and left. He can play right, but his arm is fringe-average.
  
  The Future: Sasaki was Rule 5 eligible and unpicked, which isn’t all that surprising because he’s yet to play above Class A. He most likely profiles as a fourth outfielder who can play left and center field, run and hit for average. There is still some concern about how well he can hold up over a full season. He’ll jump to Double-A Montgomery in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 65 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #24 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Sasaki was the Rays' most improved prospect in 2022. Before the season began, he appeared on track to be an org player as an outfielder who could run and play center field, but didn't hit with enough authority to project as a big leaguer. Before 2022, Sasaki would normally lose weight throughout the season. He added 10-15 pounds of good weight and then maintained it through the season while making better swing decisions. He was one of the best players on Baseball America's 2022 MiLB Team of the Year.
  
  Scouting Report: Sasaki is a top or bottom of the order table setter who knows that's what he is. His improved strength now allows him to line balls to the gaps, but he's not a home run threat. Sasaki has also improved his pitch recognition and become more selective, staying in the strike zone. His two-strike approach is now what you want in a He's an above-average defender in center field with a fringe-average arm. That might not be enough to play center for the Rays, as they are a team that wants top-of-the-scale defenders in center, but it will play for a lot of teams.
  
  The Future: Sasaki put himself on the prospect radar with his breakout season, but he needs to now build on that.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 70. Field: 55. Arm: 45.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #191 prospect in 2019 draft
  The top 2019 draft prospect from Hawaii, Sasaki is a 6-foot, 160-pound center fielder with a solid all-around package and good instincts on the field. Sasaki's best tool at the moment might be his running ability, which is a 55-grade tool that allows him to cover expansive ground in the outfield when paired with excellent jumps off the bat. He has solid-average arm strength. Offensively, Sasaki has sneaky pop for how small he is, and scouts think he could get to average power and be an average hitter at the next level. He has a big, aggressive swing that could lead to more whiffs in the future, but it works just fine for him at the moment. While there's no obvious plus tool with Sasaki, there's no real hole in his game either, and that could be enough for a team to try and buy him out of his Cal Poly commitment on Day 2.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Sasaki was the Rays' most improved prospect in 2022. Before the season began, he appeared on track to be an org player as an outfielder who could run and play center field, but didn't hit with enough authority to project as a big leaguer. Before 2022, Sasaki would normally lose weight throughout the season. He added 10-15 pounds of good weight and then maintained it through the season while making better swing decisions. He was one of the best players on Baseball America's 2022 MiLB Team of the Year.
  
  Scouting Report: Sasaki is a top or bottom of the order table setter who knows that's what he is. His improved strength now allows him to line balls to the gaps, but he's not a home run threat. Sasaki has also improved his pitch recognition and become more selective, staying in the strike zone. His two-strike approach is now what you want in a He's an above-average defender in center field with a fringe-average arm. That might not be enough to play center for the Rays, as they are a team that wants top-of-the-scale defenders in center, but it will play for a lot of teams.
  
  The Future: Sasaki put himself on the prospect radar with his breakout season, but he needs to now build on that.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 70. Field: 55. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Sasaki was the Rays' most improved prospect in 2022. Before the season began, he appeared on track to be an org player as an outfielder who could run and play center field, but didn't hit with enough authority to project as a big leaguer. Before 2022, Sasaki would normally lose weight throughout the season. He added 10-15 pounds of good weight and then maintained it through the season while making better swing decisions. He was one of the best players on Baseball America's 2022 MiLB Team of the Year.
  
  Scouting Report: Sasaki is a top or bottom of the order table setter who knows that's what he is. His improved strength now allows him to line balls to the gaps, but he's not a home run threat. Sasaki has also improved his pitch recognition and become more selective, staying in the strike zone. His two-strike approach is now what you want in a He's an above-average defender in center field with a fringe-average arm. That might not be enough to play center for the Rays, as they are a team that wants top-of-the-scale defenders in center, but it will play for a lot of teams.
  
  The Future: Sasaki put himself on the prospect radar with his breakout season, but he needs to now build on that.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 70. Field: 55. Arm: 45.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The top 2019 draft prospect from Hawaii, Sasaki is a 6-foot, 160-pound center fielder with a solid all-around package and good instincts on the field. Sasaki's best tool at the moment might be his running ability, which is a 55-grade tool that allows him to cover expansive ground in the outfield when paired with excellent jumps off the bat. He has solid-average arm strength. Offensively, Sasaki has sneaky pop for how small he is, and scouts think he could get to average power and be an average hitter at the next level. He has a big, aggressive swing that could lead to more whiffs in the future, but it works just fine for him at the moment. While there's no obvious plus tool with Sasaki, there's no real hole in his game either, and that could be enough for a team to try and buy him out of his Cal Poly commitment on Day 2.