Dodgers Manager roberts Apologizes for High Expectations of Rookie Pitcher โฃSasaki
LOS ANGELES,โข CA – Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has publicly acknowledged teh team’s initial expectations for rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki โwere too ambitious, leading โฃto an apology. The admission comes as Sasaki continues to develop in the minor leagues, facing challenges adjusting to Major Leagueโ Baseball after arriving from โขJapan at age 23.
Sasaki’s transition has โproven more challenging than anticipated, differing from the paths of established Japanese pitchers like Shohei Yamamoto and Kenta Maeda who had extensive MLB experience or polished careers in Japan prior to joining the league. Roberts emphasized Sasaki is still a developing prospect, not a finished product, andโข requires patience. Sasaki himself reportedly understoodโค the challenges, stating he believed two years in the Unitedโค States were more valuable โthan immediate financial gain, andโค didn’t โขexpect immediate success.
A key concern highlighted by Roberts is Sasaki’s โreliance โon only two pitches – a fastball thrown 50.2% of the time and a split-finger fastball at 32.9% – which โallows hitters toโข anticipate his offerings. While his split-finger is effective, batters can focusโข on timingโข the fastball. “We have to make โคfastballs โคmore difficultโข to hit,” Roberts stated. “I โdon’t know if that’s โขjust โขa matter ofโ pitchโฃ speed, but having โthree or four perfected pitches โขwould help.”
currently,Sasaki is working on developing aโข slider,two-seam fastball,and cut fastball in theโ minors. Despite a slight dip in pitch speed,โ theโฃ Dodgers remain optimistic about sasaki’s long-term potential, recognizing his age (23) and the need for continued advancement. The team is committed to providing him theโ time and resources necessary to refine his arsenal and โฃbecome a more versatile and effective pitcher.