Roki Sasaki Debuts in Major League Baseball

TOKYO — Roki Sasaki possesses an array of pitching skills that have intrigued multiple teams during the last offseason. However, both the player and the Los Angeles Dodgers have acknowledged that the 23-year-old right-hander is still developing, a fact that was apparent during his inaugural big league start.

In his debut, Sasaki struck out three over three innings, allowing just one run but facing challenges with his control against the Cubs during a 6-3 victory at Tokyo Dome. He issued five walks and managed to throw only 25 of his 56 pitches for strikes.

Ranked as the top prospect by MLB Pipeline, Sasaki entered the MLB with considerable expectations. After four years with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, where he posted a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts across 394 2/3 innings, he became the third-youngest Japanese player to make his MLB debut.

“Youth and talent bring variability,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented, anticipating the ups and downs that could accompany Sasaki’s adjustment to Major League Baseball. “Some moments will be exceptional, while others may test his resilience given his inexperience.”

Sasaki started strong, immediately hitting 99.5 mph on his first pitch and maintaining high velocity in the first inning, where he retired the first three batters and earned his first Major League strikeout against countryman Seiya Suzuki.

However, Sasaki encountered difficulties in the second inning, walking his first two batters. Although he managed to evade a run in that inning, he faced a tougher challenge in the third, surrendering an infield single followed by three consecutive walks, resulting in a run for the Cubs.

Despite the struggles, Sasaki managed to compose himself, fanning two batters with key pitches. “I believe nerves played a role,” Roberts remarked. “The velocity was there, but control and managing emotions proved to be challenging. However, he delivered notable pitches during crucial moments in that inning.”