NEW YORK – The Mets have signed another arm to a minor league deal to kick off the Winter Meetings on Sunday. Yuhi Sako, 25, from Ashiya, Japan, made his professional debut with the Australian Baseball League’s Canberra Cavalry in 2023 before switching to Indy Ball with the local New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League. Then, he joined the High Point Rockers in North Carolina.
He’ll join the Mets’ Minor Leagues this upcoming season and has already posted some impressive figures throughout his career. During his time with the Cavalry, Sako posted a 2.14 ERA with 54 Ks over 27 appearances in 46.2 innings pitched in 2023.
For the 2024 season, the right-hander brought his talents to the Jackals and pitched to a 3.40 ERA over 92.2 innings with 78 Ks.
The #Mets have signed 25-year-old Japanese-born RHP Yuhi Sako to a minor league contract per MLB's transaction page.
Sako went 6-3 with a 3.23 ERA, striking out 92, and walking 28 in 103.0 innings combined in the Atlantic and Frontier Leagues this summer. #LGM pic.twitter.com/A8tjyI8mBw
— Justin Rocke (@JustinRocke) December 9, 2024
Local Love
Much like Yuhi Sako, ONNJ’s very own Jenna Falkenheim spent the 2024 baseball season working with the New Jersey Jackals as their Photographer and Social Media Manager. She had participated in numerous activities surrounding Sako’s impressive accolades during his stint in New Jersey.
The righty showcased flexibility as both a starter and reliever over the season and stretched his dominance through relief innings in multiple games – Some even scoreless through seven.
Sako also collected some impressive titles over the 2024 season, including Frontier League’s “Pitcher of the Week,” during which he pitched a complete game with 13 Ks, shutting out the New England Knockouts on July 21st. He also represented the Jackals as one of the East Division’s arms in the 2024 Frontier League All-Star Game.
With one professional debut under his belt, Sako has his sights set on the Big Leagues as he’s set to join the St. Lucie Mets in Spring Training.
“Of course, my biggest goal is to be able to play baseball at the top level of Japan’s NPB and the MLB,” Sako said in Falkenheim’s Frontier League Player Spotlight.
New Jersey Jackals Manager, Bert Gonzalez
Speaking with New Jersey Jackal’s Manager, Bert Gonzalez, Falkenheim and I were able to pick his brain regarding some insights on Sako’s time in New Jersey, and his transition from the Independent League to the Minors. Sako is set to join the St. Lucie Mets in Spring Training for the 2025 Season.
— Raucci: “As the Manager of an Indy Ball team – the New Jersey Jackals – What is your philosophy when it comes to player development, especially considering the difference between the Frontier League and the structure of MiLB-to-MLB?”
Gonzalez: “Independent baseball is all about giving players an opportunity to gain exposure and prove to scouts that he can play at a high level. When it comes to young players, it’s all about making sure they learn how to be a professional on and off the field and making sure we put them in the best position for them to have success.”
Raucci: “Would you say there is a focus on preparing your guys for the possibility of being picked up by an MLB affiliate?”
Gonzalez: “Our primary focus is to win. If we win, then MLB affiliates are more confident knowing that our players are ready for an opportunity at the next level.”
Falkenheim: “How hard was the language barrier when needing to communicate with Sako on the mound?”
Gonzalez: “Yuhi knows more English than you would expect. He prides himself by trying to learn the language more and more, and he’s not afraid to communicate with his teammates.”
Raucci: “Considering your time spent with Sako, what specifics in his approach on the mound do you see being a key asset to the Mets as he moves through the farm?” (Discipline, attitude, specific pitches/key mechanics, velocity/movement, etc.)
Gonzalez: “Yuhi is a special talent, he obviously had the metrics and analytics to move on to the next level and continue to advance in the Mets system, but what separates him from the rest is truly his work ethic. He cares, and he cares about team success, and he continues to work hard to get better each day.”
Falkenheim: “When you first heard that Yuhi signed to a Mets’ Minor League deal, what was your initial reaction?
Gonzalez: “We had a vision for Yuhi from day one. Yuhi put his trust in us to be able to put him in a position for success, to be able to send him to a veteran league where he can prove to MLB scouts that he can get outs at the next level. My initial reaction was excitement for him that he will now have an opportunity to live his dream.
“I hope his story shows that the New Jersey Jackals organization truly cares about each player that comes through Hinchliffe Stadium, and there will be many more to follow in Yuhi’s footsteps.” —
Minor League Asset
Sako brings a six-pitch mix with rotation and bullpen experience to the Mets’ Minor League affiliates – And is already said to have a similar arsenal to that of Mets ace Kodai Senga. Perhaps there are some more secret weapons lurking in the Independent League.
