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Dodgers' Sasaki Shows Jekyll/Hyde Pitching in Spring
4 Mar
Summary
- Sasaki struggled with command, walking three and allowing a grand slam.
- He reset in the second inning, striking out two in a perfect frame.
- Command issues persist despite strong velocity and effective secondary pitches.
Roki Sasaki presented a duality in his recent spring training appearance for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the first inning, he faced significant command issues, issuing three walks and surrendering a grand slam before being removed without recording an out. This performance mirrored struggles from the previous season.
However, Sasaki later re-entered the game, showcasing a completely different demeanor. He retired six consecutive batters across the second and third innings, featuring two strikeouts. Sasaki attributed his initial struggles to upper-body mechanics impacting his fastball command.
Despite this inconsistency, Sasaki's velocity remains impressive, averaging 98 mph with his four-seamer and reaching 99.3 mph. His splitter also continues to be a potent weapon. The Dodgers are evaluating Sasaki for a rotation spot, with manager Dave Roberts indicating he expects Sasaki to break camp as a starter if performance dictates.
