Sasaki’s New Slider: Changes and Inspirations
PHOENIX — Hyesung Kim didn’t need a translator to sum up Aki Sasaki’s new slider.
“Good,” Kim said simply in English.
That was enough for the Korean infielder, who swung and missed during live batting practice with Sasaki on Saturday.
The atmosphere at Camelback Ranch is charged with excitement. Sasaki, who made headlines during the Dodgers’ recent World Series success, is on a mission to prove himself as a mainstay in the team’s rotation.
Equipped with a blistering 160 mph fastball and a forkball that resembles a wiffle ball, he’s gaining attention as a potential star player, much like Shohei Ohtani.
Last season, he relied heavily on fastballs and forkballs, with over 83% of his pitches falling into these categories. However, succeeding as a major league starter typically requires a more versatile pitch selection. That’s why Sasaki, at just 24, is working on adding either a slider, a cutter, or both to his repertoire.
He abandoned a slower version of the slider from last year, which not only wasn’t effective but also led to a shoulder injury that kept him off the field for four months. Now, he’s trialing a faster version with spiral spin, reminiscent of pitches he threw early in his Japanese career.
“I didn’t think my slider last year was good,” Sasaki admitted in Japanese. “Honestly, my results reflected that, too.”
Before he was sidelined, he made eight starts and had a 4.72 ERA.
While Kim’s swing and miss offered some reassurance, Sasaki is still figuring out how to approach right-handed batters—whether with a slider, a cutter, or something different. His coach is also keen on introducing a two-seamer into the mix.
By diversifying with these new pitches, Manager Sasaki believes it will elevate the effectiveness of his fastball and forkball.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomez noted, “If he can hit his fastball and perform well, that’s a solid foundation. Any extra pitch just complicates things for hitters.”
Sasaki is modest about the adjustments he’s making, insisting he started developing a new pitch last year. Regardless of what he adds to his arsenal, comfort remains key for him.
“I want to maintain my current pitching style as best as I can,” he shared.
While pitching to Kim and minor league catcher Sevy Zavala, Sasaki demonstrated his potency, as his fastball clocked in at 98.6 mph.
Reflecting on his debut season with the Dodgers, he remarked, “It was more of a learning curve than just stepping up to the major leagues.”
He believes competing without any physical limitations reveals the issues he needs to address to thrive.
“My goal is to keep throwing so I can spot these challenges,” he stated.
Sasaki’s brief stint as a reliever toward the end of last season and his success in the playoffs bolstered his confidence.
“It would have been ideal to finish strong in the postseason rather than end up on the injured list,” he noted. “But I found it easier to visualize success. I recognized good moments, allowing me to pitch more relaxed.”
Sasaki draws additional motivation from a winter visit back to Japan.
In December, he organized a baseball class for 170 elementary students in Suzu, a city that suffered extensive damage from a 2024 earthquake. He reached out to the city during the season to arrange this event. He enjoyed running with the kids, watching them practice, and answering their questions. Before they departed, he surprised them with signed baseballs.
Having endured similar hardships from a past earthquake, he felt a deep connection with the children. At just nine years old, he lost his father and grandparents to a tsunami that destroyed his home in Rikuzentakata.
“It was my first time holding a baseball class,” Sasaki reflected. “It was an unusual experience that proved incredibly rewarding. I drew a lot of strength from the kids.”
Now, he’s channeling that inspiration into refining his pitching skills, preparing for a new season, and perhaps establishing a new identity on the mound.
