The wait is over, and Major League Baseball is set to witness the emergence of a true talent. On Friday night, Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki made headlines by signing with the prestigious Los Angeles Dodgers, giving American baseball fans a glimpse of what could be a thrilling new chapter in his career.

At just 23 years old, Sasaki has been a hot topic in baseball circles for years due to his breathtaking ability on the mound. With a fastball that can reach triple digits, a mesmerizing splitter, and the mindset of a future ace, Sasaki's arrival in Major League Baseball (MLB) is generating excitement and lofty expectations.

During his four seasons with Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki crafted an impressive 2.02 ERA alongside a mind-boggling 524 strikeouts over 414.75 innings and a mere 91 walks. His remarkable talent was showcased in April 2022 when he pitched a perfect game featuring an astounding 13 consecutive strikeouts—an NPB record—followed by another eight flawless innings. Given the success of fellow Japanese pitchers like Yu Darvish, Kodai Senga, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the MLB, many are eager to see if Sasaki can follow in their illustrious footsteps.

What Can Dodgers Fans Expect from Sasaki in 2025?

Despite the hype, scouts paint a complex picture of Sasaki, revealing he’s still a work in progress. Here are the key takeaways regarding what the Dodgers can expect from him as he adapts to the rigors of Major League Baseball:

Not Yet an Ace, But Many Signs Point to Future Greatness

Sasaki demonstrated his confidence and self-awareness by presenting potential teams with a unique homework assignment before his signing—diagnosing the drop in his fastball velocity during the previous season. This move shows his commitment to improvement and long-term thinking. However, he may not be ready to start as the headliner in the rotation just yet. Some scouts predict a stint in the minor leagues may be necessary to refine his game further.

A Splitter Like No Other

Scouts have described Sasaki’s splitter using superlatives such as “devastating” and “f---ing nasty.” Awarded an 80-grade by evaluators, it's considered potentially the best secondary pitch in the world. This weapon, paired with his 100 mph fastball, gives him a significant edge, but it remains to be seen if he can consistently deploy it against Major League hitters.

Fastball Adjustments Needed

A crucial point of focus for Sasaki will be his fastball, which has experienced a noticeable velocity drop—averaging around 96-97 mph compared to previous seasons. Many scouts emphasize that while his fastball can still dominate, it has been described as needing more depth and movement to keep hitters guessing in the MLB.

Managing Workload Will Be Crucial

Sasaki boasts an impressive pitching resume from high school, throwing upwards of 435 pitches in just eight days. However, he's had a conservative approach since entering professional baseball, leading to concerns about his workload in the MLB. As he transitions, the Dodgers will need to ease him into a starting role while monitoring his innings carefully.

Anticipating Growing Pains

Transitioning into a different culture and adjusting to new teammates will be a challenge for Sasaki, who has already faced adversity in his life, including the loss of his father in the 2011 tsunami. The cultural differences and his need to integrate will be one of the key hurdles in his move to the U.S., but given his deep analytical skills and desire for self-improvement, he has the potential to overcome these obstacles.

Overall, while the Dodgers can expect some growing pains as Sasaki transitions to the major leagues, the potential for greatness is evident. As he embarks on this new journey, baseball fans are on the edge of their seats, eager to see if Roki Sasaki will truly become the next chapter of Los Angeles Dodgers history—a potentially transcendent talent that could redefine pitching in the MLB. Keep your eyes peeled; this could be the beginning of something extraordinary!