Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old Japanese ace who will become an MLB free agent, has had some issues in Japan. In the MLB, it is fair to say that he might deal with those same issues. However, regardless of some recent Japanese pitchers failing to cement themselves in the MLB, Sasaki can still replicate others’ success.
How Can Roki Sasaki Replicate Other Successful Japanese Pitchers?
Kodai Senga’s Successful Rookie Season
Kodai Senga was signed by the New York Mets on a 5-year, 80-million-dollar deal. Yet, he exceeded his value in his rookie season in New York. The then 30-year-old Japanese pitcher was able to transition to the MLB quickly. After some initial issues in the strike zone and after a high ERA, Senga learned how to use outside the strike zone and velocity to his advantage. Instead of throwing triple-digits like he did in Japan, Senga toned it down. Senga struck out 202 and walked 77, but managed a great 2.98 ERA in 29 starts. He showed that he was the exact same pitcher in 2024 in his only start where he struck out 9 and walked just 1 before being injured on a pop fly.
Although he was injured for all of 2024, he still managed to do great in his rookie season, which is at times rare. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was signed to a massive deal by the Los Angeles Dodgers, did well to a certain extent. However, the 25-year-old only started 18 games due to injury. In those 18 games, Yamamoto stuck out 105 with a 3.00 ERA and just 22 walks. Certainly, it wasn’t the season the Dodgers wanted out of Yamamoto, however, he did well. Sasaki has issues with going deep into games, he also has issues with injury and is just 23. Sasaki is a risk and needs to replicate these other pitchers’ success.
Roki Sasaki’s Problems Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
Sasaki seems to be one of those fireballing bullpen arms that doesn’t do well with injury. However, he is not. Sasaki is a starting pitcher who will likely be signed to a large deal if he can find success. Like Shohei Ohtani, Sasaki will thankfully not gain a massive contract at first. First, Sasaki will be signed to a much smaller contract, and if he finds success, in around 6-7 years, Sasaki’s big free agency will begin. Sasaki is too young to be signed to a deal like Yamamoto was.
The risk is not that big for any team. Sasaki will not be influenced by money in free agency as much as others, instead, Sasaki’s free agency will be more like recruiting since almost every team can afford him. Sasaki’s issues will likely be fixable, but as has been in Japan, Sasaki is not Jacob DeGrom. Sasaki may have to choose between longevity and velocity, something that DeGrom never had to do. Can Sasaki be successful in the MLB with his problems of injury at the age of just 23? In all likelihood, he can be, but success is not guaranteed.
There have been many great Japanese pitchers who have dominated the MLB. This includes great players such as Shohei Ohtani. Sasaki should be able to replicate the success of others who have gone before him.
Main Image: Sam Navarro-Imagn
