The Arrival of Roki Sasaki
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki threw his first live batting practice on Wednesday at Camelback Ranch, marking a significant milestone in his transition to Major League Baseball. The 23-year-old Japanese phenom, who signed with the Dodgers this winter, was the center of attention, drawing a crowd of teammates, coaches, club executives, and hundreds of fans, photographers, and media members. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes were among those watching intently, a testament to the high expectations surrounding the young right-hander. "When everybody wants this guy," said teammate Mookie Betts, "everybody’s going to watch him."
A Smooth Debut
Over the course of 27 pitches, Sasaki faced eight hitters, recording two strikeouts and giving up two hits. He struck out infielder David Bote on a called third strike and fanned outfielder Eddie Rosario with his signature splitter on consecutive pitches. "The splitter moves a lot," Rosario noted. "I saw one move to the outside side, and one move to the inside side. It’s good." Despite the mixed results, Sasaki felt that the session went better than his previous bullpen sessions. "Facing hitters for the first time using a Major League ball, and pitching in a game environment for the first time in a while, I was just sort of feeling out how it would go, getting used to being back in the flow of a game," he said through an interpreter.
The Pressure of Expectations
Sasaki’s performance was closely scrutinized, but the young pitcher seemed unfazed by the attention. His quiet and reserved demeanor remained intact, and he expressed no nerves about the occasion. "I did feel that today went better than I felt in my bullpens," he said. While his fastball velocity was not precisely measured, Sasaki believed it had improved from his earlier sessions in camp. The Dodgers are keen to see how Sasaki adapts to the majors, a process that will be closely monitored. His success in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he posted a 2.10 ERA over four seasons, has set the stage for high expectations. However, his limited professional track record and the ongoing development of his third pitch add layers of complexity to his transition.
The Importance of a Third Pitch
One of the key areas of focus for Sasaki is the development of his third pitch. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that the team is still searching for the right complement to his fastball and splitter. "I do think that seeing hitters will kind of help us figure out what direction to go with what should be his third pitch versus right or left," Roberts said. On Wednesday, Sasaki primarily used his slider, which received mixed reviews from scouts during his time in Japan. Bote, a right-handed hitter, saw only fastballs and sliders, while Edman, a switch hitter, also faced a slider in his second at-bat. "It’s important, especially as a starter, to be able to have that third pitch you’re able to throw for a strike," Edman said. "It looked like it had some good movement. I know a couple of the righties said they saw a few good ones, too. It’ll be definitely a very important pitch for him."
A Supportive Environment
The Dodgers’ depth in their starting rotation provides Sasaki with a margin for error as he adjusts to the majors. The team is not expecting perfection from the outset, and manager Dave Roberts emphasized the importance of allowing Sasaki to develop naturally. "I’m just trying to guard against [him] trying to be Cy Young on the first day of live batting practice," Roberts joked. "Which no one is expecting." Betts echoed this sentiment, adding, "It’s practice, who cares? If he shoved, it’d be a story. If he didn’t shove, it’d be a story. No matter what, we’ll see when we start in Tokyo." The team’s supportive approach is crucial for Sasaki, who could make his regular-season debut in the second game of the Dodgers’ season-opening trip to Tokyo next month.
A Promising Future
Sasaki’s first live batting practice session was a positive step in his journey to the majors. His ability to handle the pressure and perform well in a new environment bodes well for his future with the Dodgers. "Just to come out and throw a live BP with like 50 people literally right behind you, that takes guts," Bote said. "So the fact that he went up and showed really what he’s about and how he can pitch and how he’s going to be able to handle all this … it speaks volumes of who he is as a makeup and character guy." As Sasaki continues to refine his skills and build his confidence, the Dodgers are optimistic about his potential to become a key contributor to their pitching staff. The team’s investment in Sasaki is a clear indication of their belief in his talent and the impact he could have on the field.
