The Arrival of Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki, a name that has been buzzing in baseball circles for the past year, finally made his spring training debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, much to the excitement of fans and analysts alike. Known as the "Monster of the Reiwa Era" in his native Japan, Sasaki has been hyped as one of the most promising prospects in recent memory. His performance in the game against the Cincinnati Reds did not disappoint, as he showcased the raw talent and velocity that have made him a sought-after talent.
A Promising Start
In his three scoreless innings, Sasaki allowed just two hits, walked one batter, hit another, and struck out five. His relief appearance behind fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who also had a solid outing, demonstrated the potential of the Dodgers’ international scouting. Baseball Savant’s data revealed that Sasaki averaged 98.0 mph on his 25 four-seam fastballs and even topped out at 99.3 mph. This velocity is nothing to sneeze at, especially considering that Paul Skenes, one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB last season, averaged just 98.8 mph on his four-seamer over 1,500 pitches.
The Splitter: A Game-Changer
One of Sasaki’s standout pitches is his splitter, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. In his debut, he threw 18 splitters and three sliders, with batters finding it particularly difficult to handle the splitter. Of his eight whiffs, seven were on this pitch, and the batters who managed to swing at it only managed to foul it off or miss entirely. This kind of pitch control and effectiveness is rare in a young pitcher, and it bodes well for Sasaki’s future in the MLB.
Velocity and the Transition
While Sasaki’s velocity was impressive, it was not as high as the 100 mph+ he achieved during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he topped 100 mph in 26 of his 29 fastballs. The drop in velocity in 2024 was a significant concern for Sasaki, prompting him to ask every free agent suitor about why he lost it and how he could regain it. The Dodgers won the bidding war, and it’s clear that regaining that top-tier velocity is still a work in progress. Nevertheless, his 98-99 mph fastball is more than enough to make a significant impact in the MLB, especially when paired with his devastating splitter.
Facing MLB Batters
The transition from the NPB to the MLB will be a critical phase for Sasaki. MLB batters are generally more accustomed to facing high-velocity pitches, and Sasaki will need to adapt to this new challenge. During his debut, two batters managed to get around his fastball, nearly hitting home runs. However, they pulled the ball too much, which shows that while his velocity is potent, he will need to refine his pitch location and mix to fully dominate MLB hitters.
The Future Looks Bright
Despite the challenges ahead, Sasaki’s spring training debut was a promising start. His velocity, pitch repertoire, and control are already at a level that few young pitchers can match. As he continues to refine his skills and regain his top velocity, the Dodgers and their fans have every reason to be excited. The "Monster of the Reiwa Era" is just getting started, and the future of baseball may very well belong to him.
