The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Roki Sasaki with the belief that he could follow—and potentially surpass—countrymen Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound.
While some adjustment was expected as Sasaki transitioned to pitching full time in Major League Baseball, his early struggles have come as a surprise to the Dodgers and the baseball world at large.
Roki Sasaki Unsure of Cause of Slow Start
One of the key concerns regarding Sasaki’s initial MLB performance is his diminished velocity. His fastball has declined from 97 mph to 95 mph early this season. Sasaki said he’s unsure why the dip has occurred but is continuing to work closely with Dodgers coaches. Pitching coach Mark Prior believes Sasaki’s pursuit of hitting 100 mph again has compromised his command.
Velocity concerns have followed Sasaki since his final season in Japan. Armed with a 100 mph fastball and a physics-defying splitter, he was dominant at times for the Chiba Lotte Marines—even throwing a perfect game.
However, his velocity dropped from 99 to 97 mph during his last year in Nippon Professional Baseball. Part of the Dodgers’ recruiting pitch, along with those from the Padres, Blue Jays, and others, focused on how their programs could help Sasaki regain that lost velocity.
Now with the Dodgers, Sasaki is 1–1 with a 4.72 ERA, with nearly as many walks as strikeouts. His command has been an issue—perhaps even more concerning than his velocity. While 95 mph is still respectable, opposing hitters are slugging nearly .500 against his fastball, with an expected batting average of .308.
The bigger concern may be his signature splitter. Despite holding batters to a .158 average and generating a 30% strikeout rate, the pitch currently holds a negative run value. Sasaki primarily uses the splitter against left-handed hitters, but he’s struggling to get them to chase it due to inconsistent placement.
He’s either missing too low beneath the plate, too far inside to left-handed hitters, or too far low and away to right-handed hitters. Regaining command—particularly of the splitter—could allow Sasaki to settle in and pitch more effectively. His velocity may naturally return once he’s more comfortable in the strike zone.
The Dodgers aren’t expecting Sasaki to be an ace right away—but they also can’t afford for him to become a liability. If he can live up to the lofty expectations he had pre-season, the Dodgers’ dominance may just be beginning. As his adjustment period continues, all eyes will be on how quickly he can turn the corner.