In an exhilarating debut, LA Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki made a memorable entrance into Major League Baseball on March 19, 2025, taking the mound against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome. His performance dazzled the crowd not only for its intensity but also for the astonishing velocity of his pitches.
Sasaki began the game with a series of remarkable fastballs, showcasing his power from the very first inning. He opened against Ian Happ with a blistering 160 km/h (approximately 100 mph) pitch, followed by another foul at the same speed. The culmination came as he struck Happ out with yet another 160 km/h delivery that resulted in a flyout to left field. He continued to dominate the lineup by fanning Seiya Suzuki on a fastball clocked at 159 km/h and closing out the inning by getting Kyle Tucker to fly out to center field. Across the inning, Sasaki faced three batters and threw only 11 pitches, managing to hurl five of them at 160 km/h, while resorting to breaking balls just twice.
Retired pitcher Ryota Igarashi, who provided commentary during the game, expressed his astonishment at Sasaki's performance, noting, “I was amazed. In spring training, he hadn’t thrown at that speed. Suddenly, he bursts onto the scene with multiple pitches hitting 100 mph. He had the adrenaline of opening day fully engaged, captivating the entire stadium with every pitch.” Igarashi emphasized Sasaki's preference for a fastball-driven approach, stating, “He only threw two breaking balls; he relied heavily on his fastball to overpower hitters.”
In the second inning, however, Sasaki faced challenges, initially walking Michael Busch and later walking Dansby Swanson. Despite loading the bases, he displayed resilience, managing a double play to escape the inning without allowing a run to score. Igarashi remarked, “The double play was significant. While he struggled to throw strikes, he showed remarkable determination, including mental control.”
During the third inning, things turned sour for Sasaki; he surrendered a single to Jon Berti and issued back-to-back walks to both Happ and Suzuki, which ultimately loaded the bases. His MLB debut culminated in giving away a run after walking Kyle Tucker, letting the Cubs score their first run of the evening. Addressing the increasing difficulty in the third inning, Igarashi pointed out, “The pitch count began to rise, and it was crucial to see if he would adjust.” Nevertheless, Sasaki managed to strike out Busch and Shaw before concluding his day.
Sasaki's performance wrapped up after three innings, having thrown 56 pitches, allowing just one hit while collecting three strikeouts and walking five batters. Though he missed an opportunity for his first MLB win with the Dodgers scoring five runs by the end of the third inning, Sasaki's record stands at one run allowed.
“The result was excellent for a debut,” stated Igarashi about Sasaki's outing. “He will have ample opportunities to refine his game moving forward. His ability to control the zone will determine his success in coming matches.”
At just 23 years and 4 months old, Sasaki's debut marks him as the fourth-youngest Japanese player to make his MLB debut, following notable names like Masanori Murakami, Hideo Nomo, and Junichi Tazawa. This fact places him alongside Yoshinori Ohara as the youngest pitcher to debut as a starter.
As baseball fans worldwide tune in to watch Sasaki's progress, his debut has already ignited enthusiasm for a promising career, promising countless thrilling performances yet to come. The event not only marked a significant milestone for Sasaki but also created lasting excitement among fans eager to see how he’ll develop as one of baseball’s most exciting young talents.
