“Unraveling the Mystery: Is Dodgers Rookie Roki Sasaki the Next Pitching Phenomenon?”
Also, Sasaki’s much-hyped splitter has largely lived up to the billing, exhibiting unprecedented movement and registering a 46% whiff rate that already ranks among the best of any individual offering in MLB. His heater, however, has not demonstrated nearly the same level of effectiveness: Among 63 pitchers who have thrown at least 100 four-seamers, Sasaki’s 11.8% whiff rate on his fastball ranks 58th. It’s worth noting that his teammate Yamamoto ranks 62nd on the same list, but Yamamoto’s far superior command and deeper arsenal have enabled notably more success so far this season. That’s a reminder that pitchers can succeed without getting swing-and-misses on their fastball, but they need to do a lot of other things well.
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