Japanese high school baseball star Sasaki Rintaro says he wants to become a player that will be drafted by Major League Baseball clubs or Japanese professional baseball teams after entering Stanford University in the United States.

Sasaki's plan after high school had been the focus of attention. Last week, Stanford University announced he will join its baseball team.

The slugger had 140 home runs for Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan. MLB two-way star Ohtani Shohei of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kikuchi Yusei are graduates of the school.

Sasaki told reporters on Tuesday that he decided to go to the US university with a strong resolve.

He said he knows Stanford is one of the world's top universities, and that he is honored to play baseball in such an environment. He said he will do his utmost to add power to the team.

Asked about Ohtani and Kikuchi, Sasaki said that although he will play in the same region as the two, he is still too far behind to catch up to them. He added he will do his utmost to come even one step closer to their abilities.

The 18-year old said he has a chance to be picked in drafts by Major League or Japanese pro baseball clubs as soon as in two years. He said he will train hard to improve his skills to be drafted.

Sasaki is now doing physical training and learning English.
He plans to go to the US after he graduates from high school in March to prepare for entering Stanford in September.

As the US college baseball league opens in February, Sasaki's appearance in official games in the US is expected to be as early as one year from now.

It is rare for a top Japanese high school baseball player to go to a US university. Sports analysts say his choice could influence younger players' career plans.