“Unraveling the Mystery: Is Dodgers Rookie Roki Sasaki the Next Pitching Phenomenon?”
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Fastball: 56%, 94 mph
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Splitter: 32%, 86 mph
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Slider: 12%, 84 mph
It’s a strikingly similar pitch mix, though there are differences in the two pitchers’ release points and movement profiles. Sasaki throws much harder and from a higher arm angle, while Gausman’s pitches have markedly more spin across the board. Still, Gausman’s splitter-forward attack could serve as a rough template for the genre of pitcher Sasaki could grow into.
There are also a few crucial pieces of context to keep in mind when evaluating Sasaki’s stuff moving forward. For one, the evolution of his pitch mix is an ongoing process, one that is sure to be influenced by his new environment. MLB uses a different ball than NPB, one that is slightly larger and less tacky. Sasaki is still in the early stages of figuring out how his pitches move when thrown with the MLB ball, and he’s in the early stages of understanding how his repertoire plays against the best hitters on the planet, who are far more used to high-end velocity than Sasaki’s foes in NPB. He’ll also surely continue to alter his attack plan depending on his opponent; we’ve seen him face only three teams so far, including the Cubs twice.
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