Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki showcased his talent during a recent practice session with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The 23-year-old drew a large crowd as he threw 27 pitches over two innings of live batting practice, demonstrating his skills in front of hundreds of fans, teammates, and Dodgers organization members.
Sasaki appeared more composed and comfortable compared to a previous bullpen session, where he struggled with control. During the practice, he recorded two strikeouts, including an impressive sequence against Eddie Rosario. Despite giving up a couple of line drives to Tommy Edman and David Bote, Sasaki's performance was generally well-received.
While the exact velocity of Sasaki's pitches was not officially measured, Bote noted that his fastball felt like it was in the mid-90s. Sasaki, known for his 100 mph fastball in Japan, is working on regaining his velocity after dealing with shoulder inflammation last season.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Sasaki's abilities, mentioning him as a potential starter for the Dodgers' second game of the season against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 19. Roberts emphasized the importance of providing Sasaki with opportunities to showcase his talent and grow as a player.
Sasaki recently signed a minor league contract with a significant $6.5 million signing bonus as an international amateur free agent, transitioning from the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan to the MLB. His decision to join the Dodgers under MLB's rules has positioned him alongside fellow Japanese players Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the team's roster.
Overall, Sasaki's performance in practice has generated excitement and optimism among fans and the Dodgers organization, highlighting his potential impact on the team's upcoming season.
Source: AP MLB
