This player was named the Dodgers' biggest mystery for 2026: Japanese pitcher Sasaki Roki (24). After a disappointing first year in the major leagues, he made up for it with a surprise postseason performance, but his true form still cannot be determined.
The U.S. publication California Post said on the 28th (KST), 'Nothing is guaranteed in sports, but the Dodgers can estimate a range of expected outcomes for most players. If there is one notable exception, it's Sasaki,' and it pointed to him as the Dodgers' most unpredictable mystery player this year.
Sasaki, who threw as fast as 165 kph in Japan and even threw a perfect game, challenged the major leagues as an international amateur under age 25. He showed the will to prove himself on the biggest stage while still as young as possible, but his first year fell short of expectations with 10 games (8 starts, 36 1/3 innings), a 1-1 record, 2 holds, a 4.46 ERA and 28 strikeouts. He left in mid-May with shoulder impingement syndrome and missed four months. He had never reached the required innings in a season in Japan, and durability issues emerged from his first big league year.
But he returned to the bullpen late in the season and contributed greatly to the championship. He appeared in nine postseason games (10 2/3 innings) with three saves, two holds, a 0.84 ERA and six strikeouts. He recovered his stuff by raising his top velocity to 100.6 mph (161.9 kph) and put a World Series ring on his finger.
According to the California Post report, Sasaki accepted a move to the bullpen late last season on the condition that he would be guaranteed a chance to start the following season. Manager Dave Roberts also said he would give Sasaki a chance to earn a fifth- or sixth-starter job.
Roberts added that he needs to develop a third pitch. It could be a slider or it could be a curve. He needs a pitch that moves to the left, he said, emphasizing that Sasaki, who relies on a four-seam fastball, forkball and two pitches, needs a change.
Some evaluators say Sasaki's high leg kick pitching form interferes with effectively throwing other pitches, but Roberts shook his head. He called it more a mental than a physical issue and left an evocative remark. "It's always difficult for a young player who has achieved great success in one way to accept something they haven't been told they needed," he said.
The California Post reported that the Dodgers struggled to get close to Sasaki, who is known for his strong individualism. When he emerged as a bullpen savior, the club tried to share what it did to help him regain his fastball velocity. But Sasaki explained it in a completely different way that minimized the team's role: he said he discovered problems in his pitching delivery by watching his past videos, the report cited as an example of Sasaki's individualism.
It continued, 'Roberts said he tried to strike a balance in dealing with Sasaki. He wants Sasaki to have the humility to be open to ideas. At the same time, he hopes he keeps the cockiness that used to stare down hitters in the ninth inning,' Roberts said. Roberts said, "I like the expression 'the game will tell you,'" and he expects Sasaki to realize things through real games and change.
The California Post concluded, 'The game once told Shohei Ohtani to abandon the leg kick he used in Japan. The game told Clayton Kershaw to develop a slider. Now Roberts hopes the game will tell Sasaki to add another weapon. Sasaki's future as a starter may depend on that.'
Sasaki was a member of Japan's championship roster at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but he decided not to participate this time. His results last year were also poor, and he will stay for Dodgers spring training to focus on preparing for his second-year season. It is unclear whether Sasaki, who showed a strong individualistic streak since his days in Japan, will now open his ears and be willing to change.
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