Roki Sasaki, the Los Angeles Dodgers' promising right-hander, is stepping back into the starting rotation after an impressive finish to his rookie season in the bullpen. As Spring Training unfolds, Sasaki's journey is one to watch, especially after a challenging debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In his Cactus League appearance, Sasaki faced some turbulence, allowing five of nine batters to reach base safely, including two doubles, and giving up two walks. It wasn’t the start he or manager Dave Roberts had hoped for, but it's all part of the growth process.
Roberts remains optimistic about Sasaki's potential, emphasizing that these early outings are crucial for his development. "Roki has a lot of growth potential," Roberts noted.
"We expect him to be good, and he expects the same. These games are important stepping stones."
Sasaki's command was a key issue, with only 17 of his 36 pitches finding the strike zone. Roberts observed some mechanical inconsistencies, noting, "Today was the first time he seemed off mechanically. He was overthrowing, which we hadn't seen in his bullpen sessions."
The focus for Sasaki is clear: refine his mechanics and command, especially with his fastball. Roberts highlighted the importance of pitching off his split and integrating a third pitch into his arsenal. Sasaki experimented with a cutter during the game, a strategic move to broaden his pitching repertoire.
Despite the rocky start, Sasaki's potential remains undeniable. His journey through Spring Training will be pivotal as he hones his skills and works on mastering his new pitches. The Dodgers and their fans are eager to see how this talented pitcher evolves, knowing that with each outing, he inches closer to becoming a formidable force in the rotation.