Dodgers’ Sasaki Perfects Third Pitch to Excel as a Starter

Roki Sasaki is a focal point of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training as he works on improving his pitching skills. The Japanese talent is recognized for his ace-like abilities but faced challenges during his rookie season in Major League Baseball.

Sasaki’s Rookie Season Struggles

In 2025, Sasaki’s introductory Major League season was tumultuous. He recorded a 4.72 ERA across eight starts and struggled with 14.3% walks, significantly above the league average. A shoulder injury led to a three-month stint on the injured list, impacting his performance. However, he rebounded in the postseason as a back-end reliever, showcasing his potential with a dominant fastball-splitter combo.

Need for a Third Pitch

Despite his strengths, Sasaki’s success as a starter hinges on developing a third pitch. He acknowledged that his slider was ineffective last season. While the expected slugging percentage off his slider was acceptable at .283, he only used it 16.3% of the time, limiting its impact. Scouts pointed out that the quality of this pitch was not up to par, making its improvement crucial.

• Fastball: Consistently reaches triple digits but is relatively flat.
• Splitter: Known for its effectiveness.
• Slider: Needs refinement to enhance performance against right-handed hitters.

Sasaki is currently experimenting with cutters and sliders, aiming to determine which pitch will suit him best. There is a particular interest in developing a gyro-spin slider, known for its hard throw and gravity-driven movement. Additionally, he plans to integrate a two-seamer to challenge right-handed hitters more effectively.

Positive Changes and Future Goals

Brandon Gomes, the Dodgers’ general manager, has complemented Sasaki’s progress in spring training. According to Gomes, Sasaki’s recent bullpens have shown exceptional promise, especially with his cutter and sinker. He emphasized that if Sasaki executes his fastball and splitter effectively, it sets a strong foundation for additional pitches.

In the postseason, Sasaki thrived as a reliever, posting a remarkable 0.84 ERA and securing three saves in nine appearances. This performance marked a significant turnaround for the young pitcher and altered his mindset heading into the new season.

Reflecting on his previous year, Sasaki has expressed a commitment to control the variables that affected his performance. His aspiration for the upcoming season is to pitch consistently throughout the year. This focus on self-improvement could allow him to showcase his true capabilities at the Major League level.