Roki Sasaki may simply be probably the most intriguing rookie in Main League Baseball in the present day. At solely 23 years outdated, the Japanese pitcher joined the Los Angeles Dodgers with sky-high expectations after dazzling performances in Nippon Skilled Baseball. Whereas he was signed as a world beginner with a modest $6.5 million bonus, consultants already imagine he might command a $200 million contract as soon as he hits free company in 2030.
Based on ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Sasaki stands out as each a thriller and a marvel. “He might develop into one of the best pitcher within the world-or a serious ‘what-if,'” Passan wrote. A lot of that uncertainty stems from his signature weapon: a devastating splitter that is already turning heads within the huge leagues.
Dodgers Roki Sasak’s first house sport wasn’t as deliberate and ended up crying after simply 62 pitches
Adjusting to the highlight
Sasaki’s early days in MLB have not been spotless. Via 30 innings, he holds a 3.86 ERA, with 24 strikeouts and 20 walks. His Fielding Impartial Pitching (FIP) sits at 5.37, indicating some bumps within the highway. He is had outings the place his command faltered, particularly early on, usually lacking the strike zone and exhibiting hesitation in pitch choice.
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Nonetheless, the flashes of brilliance are laborious to disregard. His fastball is averaging 96.1 mph, and although it does not but contact the triple digits because it did in Japan, there’s purpose to imagine that mechanical tweaks might unlock much more velocity, and worth.
A unicorn within the making
What makes Sasaki stand out is not simply uncooked energy, however pitch design. His splitter has been described as “a unicorn pitch,” almost unattainable to foretell and equally laborious to hit. In an period the place hitters alter quickly, having a novel weapon provides Sasaki an edge many veterans envy.
If he continues to refine his management and discover confidence in his pitch combine, the Dodgers might have landed among the best pitching investments in latest reminiscence. And whereas his highway to stardom may nonetheless be underneath building, the vacation spot may very well be historic.
A number of years from now, a $200 million contract might not simply be a projection, it may very well be the brand new normal for the Dodgers‘ subsequent ace.
