Dodgers Look to Aki Sasaki as a Rising Star
The Dodgers have a good grasp of their core players. There’s Shohei Ohtani, undoubtedly one of the top talents in baseball. Mookie Betts, while perhaps not hitting as well as he once did, still remains a solid shortstop. Then there’s Freddie Freeman, whose reliable swing could mitigate the effects of aging.
However, not everything is predictable in sports. One of the biggest uncertainties is Aki Sasaki.
Pitchers and catchers will convene for the Dodgers’ spring training in Arizona on February 13, and once again, Sasaki will be one of the most intriguing figures to watch.
The Dodgers have made a significant investment in the young pitcher. They essentially traded two international amateur players to sign him and are still committed to his development despite a challenging rookie season last year. Notably, Sasaki has chosen to focus on training with the Japanese national team instead of participating in the World Baseball Classic.
“We’ll give him every opportunity to secure a starting spot, whether it’s fifth or sixth,” manager Dave Roberts mentioned.
Sasaki is considered one of the most gifted pitchers Japan has ever produced, showcasing an impressive fastball that reaches 160 mph and a unique forkball during his domestic league games.
His transition to Major League Baseball was anything but smooth. He often seemed outmatched physically, lacked experience in leadership, and saw a drop in his fastball speed. By mid-May, he was sidelined due to a shoulder issue, returning only in the final week of the season.
Upon his return, Sasaki stepped into a relief role and excelled, perhaps unexpectedly, becoming the closer almost by default. In the postseason, his performance included three saves and a remarkable 0.84 ERA.
His success in October revived his reputation, but Roberts cautioned that what works in relief might not directly translate to starting games.
“For him, it’s essential to develop a third pitch,” Roberts stated, suggesting a slider or a curveball. “It needs to be something to counterbalance his fastballs and forkballs, especially in the later innings.”
While some analysts speculate that his pitching style might hinder his ability to adapt, Roberts believes the issue is largely mental.
“It can be tough for someone who has experienced a lot of success in one area to now be open to the changes the game demands,” Roberts explained.
The Dodgers are navigating challenges in reinforcing Sasaki, whose skills are undeniable. Once he became an unexpected bullpen asset, many organizations highlighted how this success could help restore his fastball speed. However, Sasaki himself suggested that he identified delivery issues by reviewing old footage of himself.
Roberts aims for a balance in guiding Sasaki. He wishes for him to be receptive to constructive criticism while maintaining the boldness that drives him, especially in crucial moments. “I like to say, ‘the game teaches,’” Roberts commented. Baseball, after all, has made similar demands of players like Ohtani and Kershaw. Now, Roberts hopes Sasaki will recognize the need to expand his repertoire. The path to his future as a starting pitcher might well depend on that realization.
