Sato plan puts babybay’s VCT China options in focus

Andrej “babybay” Francisty is exploring offers from VCT China teams for 2027 after G2 Esports reportedly decided to replace him, according to Sheep Esports.

No Chinese organisation or agreement has been identified. Sources cited by Sheep Esports say babybay planned to remain in China after VALORANT Champions Shanghai to assess the offers he had received, and that his experience in the country had made continuing there a priority.

G2’s reported roster decision

G2’s decision to move on from babybay for the 2027 season was made before Champions Shanghai, the report states. The organisation is set to bring in Eduardo “Sato” Nagahama, who played for Leviatán in the latest VCT Americas season.

G2 finished among the top four at Champions Shanghai, having advanced from its group and won playoff matches against 100 Thieves and T1. The result capped a season in which the team also won VCT Americas Stage 1 and qualified for Masters Santiago.

• Player: American VALORANT competitor Andrej “babybay” Francisty.
• Reported status: considering offers in China; no signing is confirmed.
• G2’s reported plan: replace babybay for 2027, with Sato set to join.
• Latest international result: G2 placed in the top four at Champions Shanghai.
• Earlier G2 milestone: babybay joined for Stage 2 of 2025 and helped the team win the title.

A strong run with G2

Babybay returned to competition in August 2025 after retiring at the end of 2023. He joined G2 for Stage 2 of that year in place of Nathan “leaf” Orf, helping the team secure the stage title and qualify for Champions Paris, although leaf returned before the tournament.

After Jonah “JonahP” Pulice left for Sentinels at the end of 2025, babybay stayed with G2 for the 2026 season. Sheep Esports described him as the team’s second-highest-rated player at Champions Shanghai, where G2’s campaign ended in the semifinals after a top-four finish. The result and roster plan are also part of G2’s recent international VALORANT run.

What happens next?

Babybay is expected to weigh the offers while staying in China, but the reporting does not name a destination or set out a timeline for a decision. G2, meanwhile, is reported to be preparing for 2027 with Sato as babybay’s replacement.

The VCT China team landscape is developing ahead of the next season, but babybay’s options will become clearer only if an organisation and player reach an agreement. For now, his China move remains under consideration rather than a confirmed transfer.