Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki made a strong impression in his Major League Baseball debut against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. He delivered 4 2/3 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 walks, and 1 home run while striking out 3 batters for 3 earned runs.
Game Breakdown
Sasaki kept the Dodgers ahead 3-0 through three scoreless innings with sharp command. In the fourth, he permitted 2 hits and 1 walk but escaped with one strikeout. The fifth inning saw him induce two ground balls before a double play involving TJ Friedl’s sacrifice fly and an Eddie Rosario grounder tied the score at 3-3.
Despite throwing 78 pitches, Sasaki’s mound presence commanded respect. He threw 546 fastballs across regular season and postseason games this year, with 19 reaching 100 mph. No other pitcher hit that mark even once.
Elite Velocity Stats
Sasaki’s top speed hit 101.4 mph in last year’s Wild Card Series Game 2 against the Cincinnati Reds. On April 19, his fastball averaged 99.5 mph against the Giants and 97.0 mph overall. In Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), he topped out at 165 km/h (102.5 mph), with a 2023 average of 159.1 km/h (98.9 mph).
During the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), his 65 fastballs averaged 100.3 mph, peaking at 101.9 mph. This velocity stands out as exceptional, drawing comparisons to top NPB talents.
Roberts’ High Praise
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts highlighted Sasaki’s essential contribution post-game. “Sasaki had the necessary stuff,” Roberts stated. “He induced two double plays and helped with fly balls.”
Roberts added, “He nailed the sixth inning perfectly, but TJ Friedl’s sacrifice fly led to a better pitch against the next hitter. Overall, it was a better outing.” Despite 10 baserunners in 3 innings, Roberts deemed it necessary and effective.
Sasaki, who joined the Dodgers after posting elite NPB numbers, continues adjusting to MLB. A 2014 scout once called him “a Lamborghini Veneno with a Kia price tag.” Recent outings show growing command amid early challenges.
In four starts, Sasaki logged 17 2/3 innings with a 6.11 ERA and 17 strikeouts. Even against a .296 opponent average, he limited damage effectively.
