"Sasaki's 2.10 ERA across four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball and his devastating splitter were the main selling points last offseason, along with his age and a fastball that could hit 100 mph. His impressive World Baseball Classic showing helped contribute to 20 teams expressing interest in Sasaski before he ultimately chose the Dodgers. After eight abysmal starts at the MLB level, Sasaki owned a 4.72 ERA and a fastball velocity that averaged 96.1 mph."
"With a heater lower than expected and apparent command issues, Sasaki then went to the injured list for a little over four months due to a shoulder impingement. Sasaki was healthy enough to start a rehab assignment in August, but batters were hitting .315 off of him through his first four starts. Ahead of his second-to-last start and his final rehab assignment start, Sasaki was able to raise his fastball velocity over 4 mph and started to look more like the highly-touted prospect from Japan."
Roki Sasaki, 23, recorded the first two saves of his MLB career in the postseason following the Dodgers' NLDS Game 2 win over the Phillies. Sasaki had a 2.10 ERA across four NPB seasons, a devastating splitter, and a 100-mph fastball that generated interest from 20 teams. Early MLB struggles produced a 4.72 ERA and a 96.1-mph average fastball, and a shoulder impingement sidelined him for over four months. After rehab and a fastball velocity increase of more than 4 mph, Sasaki transitioned to the bullpen following two hitless Triple-A relief innings and earned regular-season and postseason relief appearances and saves.
Read at Dodgers Nation
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