Sasaki Dazzles with Splitter in Dodgers Spring Debut
Roki Sasaki’s Spring Training debut for the Dodgers featured an electric mix of power and finesse that showcased why Los Angeles pursued him so aggressively this offseason.
The 23-year-old Japanese phenom entered in the fifth inning against the Reds Tuesday night, immediately lighting up the radar gun with a 99-mph fastball that Noelvi Marte grounded out on. What happened next showed both Sasaki’s raw stuff and his composure.
After allowing a single to Austin Wynns and hitting Stuart Fairchild with a pitch, Sasaki settled in. That’s when the splitter came out.
He punched out TJ Friedl looking at a splitter that dove down in the zone. Matt McLain suffered the same fate, watching helplessly as a nasty splitter with late cut action painted the outside corner. The pitch showed both natural drop and unexpected horizontal movement that could make it a devastating weapon at the MLB level.
Roki Sasaki is sensational. We called it first pic.twitter.com/m7zslLD7wT
— The Incline: Dodgers Podcast (@TheInclinePod) March 5, 2025
Sasaki wasn’t done there. The 6-foot-4 right-hander went on to throw two more scoreless innings, giving Dodgers fans a glimpse of the potential that made him such a coveted international signing.
What makes Sasaki’s arrival in Los Angeles particularly interesting is the growing Japanese star power on the roster. He took the mound after fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto finished his own outing. Along with Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers now feature three of Japan’s most talented players.
Unlike many international signings, Sasaki’s age meant his signing bonus came directly from the international bonus pool. That leveled the financial playing field among suitors, suggesting the Dodgers’ existing Japanese stars and championship aspirations likely played a significant role in his decision.
The Dodgers will open the regular season on March 18 in Japan against the Cubs, giving Sasaki a chance to potentially make his official MLB debut in his home country. It’s the first of a two-game series that should generate enormous interest both in Japan and stateside.
If tonight’s performance is any indication, Sasaki’s splitter alone might be worth the price of admission.
