The Dodgers are making an effort, that’s clear.
They’ve been providing opportunities for Akira Sasaki, honoring agreements made with the talented pitcher from Japan.
With Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, set to come back from the disabled list, the Dodgers face a significant decision. It’s not just about the team; it’s also about what’s right for Sasaki.
It seems they’ll need to send Sasaki down to the minors.
Perhaps something will shift in the lead-up to Snell’s return, allowing the Dodgers to keep Sasaki in the rotation, but the likelihood of that isn’t great. He’s expected to pitch another minor league game before wrapping up his rehab.
When Snell joins the Dodgers’ six-man rotation, someone will have to go. Yet, it won’t be Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, or Tyler Glasnow.
They might consider moving Justin Robleski to the bullpen, believing his bat could eventually be an issue. But it’s hard to demote a lefty who has made an All-Star appearance.
Robleski pitched brilliantly on Sunday in St. Louis, racking up six scoreless innings, improving his record to 5-0 with a 1.25 ERA, which snapped the Dodgers’ four-game losing streak. His five-start average ERA stands at an impressive 0.56.
In a perfect world, Sasaki and Emmett Sheehan would likely be the ones sent down. Both have faced inconsistencies, with Sasaki’s ERA at 5.97 across six starts and Sheehan sitting at a slightly improved 5.23.
But the situation isn’t solely about performance. There’s an element of considering who might benefit more from a different environment, and for Sasaki, that might mean a stint in the minors or the bullpen.
I mean, even considering Sheehan, he’s shown glimpses of his potential this season. Unfortunately, Sasaki hasn’t been as fortunate.
His fastball is crucial. It’s all about how hard he throws it and where it lands.
He can utilize various forkball types, as seen in recent outings, and even lean on his slider, which he did earlier this season. Yet, without a solid fastball, his chances of living up to expectations dwindle.
Post-game in St. Louis, Sasaki acknowledged his struggles, noting that even though it was statistically his best outing, he wasn’t dominant. He allowed multiple baserunners early on and surrendered three runs in the third inning. He conveyed the sentiment in Japanese, saying, “In the end, it depends on the fastball.”
His issues with the fastball first cropped up during his final season in Japan back in 2024. He struggled to throw it effectively, leading to difficulties once he transitioned to the MLB.
Without a reliable fastball, Sasaki has leaned on off-speed pitches this season, using sliders or splitters to secure strikes. But, to be honest, those tactics are more like temporary fixes than sustainable solutions.
Instead of sticking to the current strategy, it seems he should focus on something that could help him reclaim his potential.
Rediscovering his fastball might be key.
Given his current lack of progress, maybe a minor league stint would allow him to work on his skills without the pressure of immediate wins and losses.
Interestingly, Sasaki mentioned he’d accept a minor league assignment if the Dodgers believed it was the best course of action. “Someone coming in means someone has to go,” he remarked about Snell’s return, but emphasized the importance of his performance remains unchanged regardless of the circumstances.
In the minors, the focus could shift radically from team obligations to personal development.
Earlier this season, the Dodgers opted for Alex Freeland over Hye-sung Kim, which left Kim understandably upset. However, manager Dave Roberts explained that the decision was made to prioritize Kim’s growth, allowing him to gain daily experience in the minors instead of being part of a major league platoon. In hindsight, this approach paved the way for Kim’s current success.
Sasaki’s situation is more complex, especially considering economic and political factors, but ultimately, the aim should be consistent: guiding him towards his true potential. He has a real shot to be something special, but it may require taking a step back first, maybe even several steps before the real progress begins.
