"Sasaki primarily threw a four-seam fastball and splitter in his first big league season, often struggling with location and velocity as a starter. His splitter was a plus pitch when he could land it in the zone or get hitters behind in the count, but that was an issue for most of his season. An effective third pitch would go a long way toward Sasaki's potential success as a starter, along with smoothing out his mechanics."
""I think there are two things: just making sure that my mechanics are in a very consistent place, so that I can be efficient with my delivery," Sasaki said through an interpreter of what he hopes to do as a starting pitcher. "I think that was the key. And secondly, I think it's about the physical part of it. And I think that just comes with working out.""
Roki Sasaki struggled as a starting pitcher during his rookie season, posting a 4.72 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in eight games before a right shoulder injury landed him on the injured list. He missed more than four months and returned in September as a relief pitcher, where he dominated out of the bullpen. Sasaki is determined to replicate that success as a starter and is working on adding a cutter and two-seam fastball to complement his four-seam and splitter. He aims to stabilize his mechanics and improve physical functionality through workouts to become an efficient, effective starter.
Read at Dodger Blue
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