The Los Angeles Dodgers have landed the biggest prize of the international market, signing 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki. Dubbed the “Monster of the Reiwa Era” in his homeland, Sasaki possesses a triple-digit fastball and a splitter that’s been called the best secondary pitch in the world. But is he ready to dominate MLB hitters right away?
A Dazzling But Still Developing Talent
Despite Sasaki’s captivating upside, MLB scouts and execs who have tracked him closely in Japan caution that he’s not a fully formed ace just yet at age 23. As one said:
“Anybody who thinks they’re acquiring a top-of-the-rotation starter at the beginning of the year is not being 100% honest with themselves.”
– MLB Scout on Sasaki
Recent Japanese pitching imports like Yu Darvish and Kodai Senga transitioned smoothly to MLB, but they arrived in their late-20s with far more professional innings under their belts. Sasaki, who some think could start 2025 in the minors, still has work to do to refine his arsenal, build up his workload, and adjust to the challenge of facing the world’s best hitters.
A Wipeout Splitter and Developing Fastball
Sasaki’s calling card is a devastating splitter that scouts say could be the best offspseed pitch in the world. With its fastball disguise and sharp, late drop, it’s a nightmare for hitters, especially with Sasaki’s velocity. As one evaluator put it: “Nobody has a shot against this pitch.”
But to unlock his ace upside, Sasaki will need to improve his straight fastball that averaged 96-97 mph in 2024 — down from its 102 mph peak. He’s begun mixing in a two-seamer and cutter to keep MLB hitters off balance, showing aptitude for adjusting his approach. If Sasaki can refine his heater’s command and movement to pair with that killer splitter, look out.
Workload Management Will Be Key
Having never thrown more than 130 innings in a season as a pro, Sasaki’s durability remains a question mark, especially given the demands of an MLB schedule. The Dodgers will have to carefully manage his workload in 2025.
Sasaki’s slender 6’4″ build also gives some scouts pause about his long-term ability to handle ace-level innings. But as one pitching coach noted, his efficient delivery and elite athleticism bode well:
“He’s super athletic, naturally strong… I don’t have a huge worry about him holding up.”
– MLB Pitching Coach on Sasaki
The Makeup to Overcome Growing Pains
Even with his immense talent, Sasaki will face a steep learning curve in his MLB transition. From cultural adjustments to facing better hitters to the grind of a grueling schedule, growing pains are inevitable for such a young pitcher. But evaluators praise Sasaki’s poise, resilience and sponge-like mind as the tools to handle those challenges.
“He seems very solution-based, analytical in a forward-momentum way… He seems to have a high degree of accountability of what standards he has for himself.
– MLB Front Office Exec on Sasaki
Rather than chase immediate results, Sasaki focused on development in 2024, honing his cutter and two-seamer to become a more complete pitcher. That determination to improve, rather than rely solely on his wipeout splitter, shows a growth mindset rare for his age. If Sasaki maintains that hunger to evolve, the sky’s the limit for his potential.
The Bottom Line: Patience and Upside
- Sasaki has the raw talent to become a dominant MLB ace
- But the 23-year-old still has significant development ahead
- Dodgers will balance workload management with providing reps to improve
- If Sasaki refines his fastball, the sky is the limit for his potential
While Sasaki may not be an ace from day one, his signing is a coup for a Dodgers organization that excels at developing young pitchers. With patience and the right plan to harness his electric stuff, Roki Sasaki could blossom into the club’s next homegrown superstar. In a few years, his starts could become must-see events for baseball fans everywhere.
