After becoming a star in Nippon Professional Baseball with a 2.02 ERA over four seasons for the Chiba Lotte Marines, 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki became one of the most talked-about young international MLB signees. But the phenom might’ve had his “Welcome to the MLB” moment against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 9.
Arizona’s Aggressive Approach Catches Roki Sasaki Off Guard in Tough Outing
On May 9 in Arizona, Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Sasaki got shelled. There’s no easy way to put it. But he’s young, and rookie struggles are part of the process. Still, his potential is obvious.
Sasaki has a 4.72 ERA through eight starts this season with 24 strikeouts and 22 walks over 31.1 innings pitched. Those aren’t standout numbers, but the ceiling remains high for a rookie who posted a sub-2.10 ERA over four straight seasons in Japan. He just needs time to adjust.
Against the Diamondbacks, Sasaki gave up five hits, five earned runs, and two walks in four innings on 61 pitches. The Dodgers lost 14-11 in Game 2 of the series.
When asked if the shorter rest period contributed to the tough outing, Sasaki, speaking with a translator, said, “I didn’t really feel any challenges with having one less day of rest. I had my normal bullpen session three days before my outing, and I don’t think having one less day of rest had any effect on my performance.”
Sasaki continued, “I just felt like my fastball velocity wasn’t there tonight. When I gave up that second homer, it just wasn’t a well-executed pitch. It was supposed to go in, but instead, it just kind of leaked away.”
Since making his MLB debut in the Tokyo Series at the Tokyo Dome, Sasaki’s transition has come with ups and downs, like most rookies. While he’s flashed moments of dominance, underlying metrics show struggles with command and consistency.
After picking up his first MLB win against the Atlanta Braves on May 3, the Dodgers remain optimistic. Manager Dave Roberts has stressed that Sasaki is a work in progress and acknowledged that every young pitcher needs time to adjust to the big leagues.
Given his raw talent and track record in Japan, many believe Sasaki has the tools to become the next great MLB ace.
The Dodgers continue to look like one of the top teams in the MLB. They currently lead the National League West with a 26-13 record, holding a one-game lead over the San Diego Padres.
Shohei Ohtani remains the face of the sport, belting his 12th home run of the season on May 9 against the Diamondbacks. The Dodgers’ offense has been firing on all cylinders, scoring 220 runs while giving up 166, good for a +54 run differential.
Veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw is expected to return from shoulder surgery on May 18, adding experience and depth to the rotation.
The Dodgers have a series of important games ahead, including matchups with the Diamondbacks, A’s, and Angels. These will be critical in maintaining their lead in the division as they look to win another World Series Championship.