Can Roki Sasaki finally live up to the hype in his second MLB season? After a disappointing rookie year, the Dodgers' young pitcher is back, healthier and stronger, ready to prove himself. But here's where it gets interesting: Sasaki's late-season move to the bullpen might have been the turning point that saved his career.
Last October, Sasaki notched three saves during the Dodgers' postseason run, a stark contrast to his earlier struggles. His rookie season, overshadowed by immense hype following his move from Japan, was marked by challenges. By mid-May, he was out of the starting rotation, spending most of the season on the sidelines. The Dodgers had warned fans that Sasaki was a work in progress, but his initial results left much to be desired.
And this is the part most people miss: Sasaki himself admits that his struggles weren’t solely due to the level of MLB competition. “It was more about things I could’ve controlled that I didn’t,” he reflected through an interpreter. This year, his goal is clear: pitch a full season and showcase his true potential.
Sasaki’s late-season revival in the bullpen was fueled by time on the Injured List, where he gained strength and refined his delivery. This spring, he’s arrived at camp healthier than ever, with a stronger shoulder and improved mechanics. During a recent live batting practice, he hit 98 mph, a promising sign for the 24-year-old right-hander.
GM Brandon Gomes is optimistic. “He’s looked really, really good,” Gomes said, praising Sasaki’s offseason work on strength, flexibility, and mechanics. “The early signs are encouraging. We’re excited for him to undertake a full season.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: Sasaki’s success may hinge on expanding his pitch repertoire beyond his four-seam fastball and splitter, which dominated in Japan but fell short in MLB. His slider was particularly ineffective last season, and he’s now experimenting with a new grip, a cutter, and a two-seam fastball. Is this enough to fool MLB hitters? Sasaki acknowledges the importance of this expansion, especially against right-handed batters. “The sliders I threw last year weren’t good,” he admitted. “This year, I’m focusing on the gyro-spin slider and working on the two-seamer.”
Gomes believes Sasaki is “fully capable” of mastering these new pitches. “If he’s executing the fastball and split the way he’s capable of, anything on top of that will just make things more challenging for opposing hitters,” Gomes said.
But is the Dodgers' spending spree good for baseball? While owners across MLB grumble about the Dodgers' big spending and push for a salary cap, players like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are all for it. “I (bleeping) love it,” Machado declared, arguing that all teams have the resources to compete. Harper echoed this sentiment, defending the Dodgers' approach: “They draft, they develop, they do it the right way.” Gomes, however, remains focused on the ultimate validation: winning championships.
As Sasaki embarks on his second season, the question remains: Can he finally live up to the hype? And what does the Dodgers' spending mean for the future of MLB? What do you think? Is Sasaki poised for a breakout year, and is the Dodgers' financial dominance fair for the league? Let us know in the comments!
