Roki Sasaki’s third start won’t make headlines across the league, but for the Dodgers—and for the young pitcher himself—it could mark the beginning of something much bigger
Every elite player has a moment when things begin to click. For Sasaki, Saturday’s game could be that pivot point.
Dave Roberts knows talent when he sees it, and he also understands the emotional weight players carry. His comments weren’t just about performance—they were about belief. Belief in Sasaki’s potential, belief in his ability to adjust, and belief that this small step forward could be the start of a long and successful MLB journey.
It’s far too early to write off Roki Sasaki. Struggles in April don’t define careers. With his electric stuff, work ethic, and the backing of a championship organization, Sasaki has all the tools to turn things around.
Rookies often stumble before they soar. For Sasaki, the early bumps may just be setting the stage for a midseason resurgence—and maybe even a strong finish that puts him back in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
After all, greatness isn’t just about how you start—it’s about how you respond when things don’t go your way.
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Roki Sasaki’s Rocky Start: Bumpy Road to MLB Stardom
After an offseason filled with anticipation and hype, Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki has found the beginning of his Major League Baseball career far more difficult than expected.1
The 22-year-old flamethrower made the leap to the MLB after dominating Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions, Sasaki was expected to bolster an already deep pitching rotation. However, his transition to the big leagues has proven to be a humbling experience.
A Debut on Home Soil
Sasaki’s MLB debut was a unique and symbolic moment. The Dodgers opened the 2025 season in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the MLB World Tour.
Facing the Chicago Cubs in front of a packed Tokyo Dome, Sasaki pitched three innings and gave up just one run.
While not dominant, he showed flashes of the raw talent and power that made him a top international signing. For a debut under immense pressure and media scrutiny, Sasaki held his own.
But the honeymoon was short-lived.
Second Outing, Second Thoughts
In his second start, Sasaki took the mound with higher expectations—and perhaps more nerves. Facing a stronger lineup, he struggled with his command.
He lasted only 1 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits and walking multiple batters. It was the kind of outing that left fans and analysts scratching their heads.
Sasaki’s once pinpoint control, a hallmark of his success in Japan, seemed to desert him. The velocity remained, but MLB hitters aren’t so easily overpowered.
As he tried to locate his fastball and integrate his secondary pitches, it became clear that the learning curve was steep.
Roki Sasaki: Signs of Progress in Start No. 3
By the time Sasaki made his third start, there were signs of improvement.2
He worked deeper into the game, appeared more composed on the mound, and showed better command of his off-speed pitches. However, he still didn’t quite resemble the dominant figure fans in Japan knew so well.
His ERA remains high, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is not where the Dodgers would like it to be.
For now, he appears to be in the adjustment phase—learning not just the technical differences of MLB but also the mental challenges of adapting to a new culture, new language, and new expectations.
The Weight of Expectations
Sasaki’s early struggles are magnified by the intense spotlight that comes with being an international star. Japanese pitchers, from Hideo Nomo to Yu Darvish to Shohei Ohtani, have made big splashes in MLB.
Sasaki arrived with perhaps even greater expectations, thanks to his historic perfect game in NPB and his triple-digit fastball.
The Dodgers made a substantial investment in Sasaki, both financially and strategically. His slow start has stirred discussions among analysts and fans alike. Is this just a temporary hiccup or a sign of deeper issues with his transition?
Sam Dykstra Weighs In
MLB Pipeline reporter Sam Dykstra offered a candid assessment on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, saying:
“Roki Sasaki has not been a great start for him so far. I think that’s just somebody learning to struggle for the first time. We’ve seen him do exceptionally well in Japan at such a young age, and now he’s being humbled a little bit.”
Dykstra’s take suggests that this is more of a character-building moment for Sasaki rather than a referendum on his potential. He’s a young player encountering adversity, possibly for the first time in his professional life.
Rookie Race: Dylan Crews vs. Roki Sasaki
Despite Sasaki’s potential, Dykstra is leaning toward another name for the National League Rookie of the Year: Dylan Crews of the Washington Nationals. A former college standout and the second overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Crews entered 2025 with high expectations of his own.
While Crews has had his struggles at the plate, Dykstra notes that position players often have the upper hand in the Rookie of the Year race. Pitchers face a steeper climb, both statistically and in terms of durability.
“I thought Dylan Crews had a chance because he’s got really good speed. He’s a really good defender. He’s in right field instead of center, and I think he could be an even better defender,” Dykstra explained.
The implication here is that everyday players have more opportunities to shine and improve throughout the season. For pitchers like Sasaki, especially those on innings limits or adjusting to MLB routines, it’s harder to accumulate the body of work needed to sway voters.
Roki Sasaki: Pitchers Rarely Win Rookie of the Year
Historically, position players dominate the Rookie of the Year conversation. Since 2000, only a handful of pitchers have taken home the hardware in either league.3
The voting bias leans heavily toward everyday impact—home runs, stolen bases, highlight-reel catches—not a young arm who might start every fifth day and pitch limited innings.
That’s not to say Sasaki can’t rebound and climb back into the race. But if he wants to make a late push, he’ll need a drastic improvement in both performance and consistency.
Perhaps the biggest challenge Sasaki faces right now isn’t physical—it’s mental. Adjusting to a new league, a new team, and a new country is taxing.
Add to that the pressure of being a high-profile rookie on a championship-caliber team, and the stakes are even higher.
Sasaki’s calm demeanor has always been one of his strengths, but navigating adversity is new territory for him. For the first time, he’s not just learning new batters—he’s learning how to fail, and how to grow from it.
The Dodgers’ Patience Will Be Key
- One advantage Sasaki has is the support of the Dodgers’ organization.
- Known for their forward-thinking player development system, the Dodgers are likely to stay patient with their young star.
- They’ve weathered slow starts before—Julio Urías, Walker Buehler, and others took time to blossom.
- The Dodgers don’t need Sasaki to be perfect right away. They need him to be ready when it matters—late in the season, and in the postseason.
- His early-season struggles may be frustrating now, but if he finds his rhythm by August, all will be forgiven.
- The Rookie of the Year race is long, and while early-season narratives are fun to track, they rarely tell the whole story.
- Dylan Crews could heat up and make a case, or Sasaki could flip the switch and start dominating lineups.
- For now, both players are experiencing the steep learning curve that comes with transitioning to MLB.
- While their paths and positions differ, they share a common challenge: living up to the immense expectations that come with being a top prospect.
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Roki Sasaki’s Redemption
A Bright Spot in a Tough Start
After two rocky outings, Roki Sasaki took the mound on Saturday with a mission—to prove he belongs in Major League Baseball.
Facing off against the Philadelphia Phillies, the 23-year-old Japanese phenom delivered his best performance yet in a Dodgers uniform, a much-needed turnaround that offered a glimmer of hope for the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers.
Manager Dave Roberts was candid in his postgame comments, acknowledging the importance of this outing not only for Sasaki’s stat line but for his confidence and growth as a young pitcher adjusting to the MLB.
A Third Start That Showed Growth
Sasaki’s third MLB start wasn’t dazzling by any means, but it was exactly what the Dodgers needed: stable, controlled, and confidence-boosting.
Over four innings, Sasaki struck out four, allowed three hits, and—most importantly—avoided the kind of mistakes that plagued his earlier outings. It wasn’t dominance, but it was progress.
After giving up a combined eight earned runs in his first two starts, Sasaki’s poise on the mound against the Phillies was noticeably different.
He commanded his fastball with better precision, showed more consistency in his off-speed pitches, and looked mentally composed—a sharp contrast to the visible frustration he displayed during his previous appearance at Dodger Stadium.
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Dave Roberts: “He Needed It”
Speaking to the media after the game, Dave Roberts didn’t downplay how important this performance was for Sasaki.
“He needed it,” Roberts said. “He probably won’t let on how much he needed it, but … given how the first couple went, to have some success and leave the game with a lead, I think that was certainly a big positive. Just a building block for him for his next outing.”
These words reflect a manager who understands the mental side of pitching. Sasaki, still adapting to a new country, new league, and new level of competition, had been visibly shaken after his second start.
Roberts’ recognition of Sasaki’s need for a “win,” emotionally and mentally, speaks volumes about his approach to player development.
Adjusting to MLB: Not Just a Physical Transition
Transitioning from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to Major League Baseball isn’t just about adapting to more powerful hitters or a longer season—it’s also about mental endurance, cultural adjustments, and intense media scrutiny.
For someone like Sasaki, who was considered a generational talent in Japan, the expectations are even heavier.
His first two starts were tough reality checks. But even elite international players need time to settle into the rhythm of the MLB.
Roberts’ comments highlight that understanding, suggesting that the Dodgers aren’t just looking for instant results—they’re invested in Sasaki’s long-term development.
Roki Sasaki’s Arsenal: More Than Just Velocity
One of the most talked-about aspects of Sasaki’s game is his blazing fastball, which routinely touches triple digits. But Saturday’s start proved he can be more than just a hard thrower.
He mixed his splitter and slider effectively, showing hitters different looks and keeping them off-balance.
His command wasn’t perfect, but it was a noticeable improvement. If Sasaki can continue refining his pitch mix and developing consistent control, he could quickly evolve into a key starter for the Dodgers.
A Glimpse Into Sasaki’s Potential
Every pitcher has that one game early in their MLB career that becomes a turning point—a confidence booster, a sign that they can hang with the best. For Sasaki, this start against Philadelphia might just be that moment.
It wasn’t dominant, but it was composed. And for a 23-year-old rookie under the bright lights of Los Angeles, composure is a big deal.
Roberts pointed to this game as a “building block,” and that’s the perfect way to frame it. The journey from potential to production in MLB is a process. Saturday, Sasaki showed that he’s on that path.
The Importance of Patience with International Stars
MLB history is filled with international stars who took time to adjust. Shohei Ohtani’s transition came with its own ups and downs. Yu Darvish had early brilliance but also growing pains.
Even Ichiro, despite his instant success, needed to adjust to the everyday demands of a longer season and travel schedule.
Sasaki is no different. While fans may be eager for immediate domination, the Dodgers are playing the long game. Developing Sasaki into a consistent contributor will pay bigger dividends than rushing his progress and risking setbacks.
What’s Next for Sasaki?
Looking ahead, Sasaki’s next start becomes even more important. He’s coming off a solid outing and will now look to build on that performance.
The Dodgers’ coaching staff will likely work closely with him to maintain the same tempo and approach that led to success against the Phillies.
He still has a lot to prove, especially when facing division rivals and tougher lineups. But the first step—regaining confidence—has been taken. Now comes the next challenge: consistency.
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