The number one Japanese prospect of 2025, Roki Sasaki, has been causing quite a stir recently! But this time, not for much good reason. Roki has been giving some surprising assignments to the teams, which aren’t well received by the fans and the teams in MLB.

Well, it was in December in Los Angeles, and before finalizing his choice, he put some tasks in front of the teams. During the final few weeks of the teams going in pursuit of the Japanese sensation, the 23-year-old has asked the teams about a potential issue. Roki even asked the employers to justify why the issue has been persistent in his final season until his transfer to the major league. So, what’s the issue here?

MLB teams seem visibly frustrated with Sasaki’s strange homework

After years of anticipation and an extended recruitment process, the Japanese star Roki Sasaki has made a clear statement that surprised everyone. He gave each team a homework assignment during the various interview rounds, asking them to explain why his fastball velocity dropped during the previous season in Japan. Roki has been very self-conscious, so he wants each possible recruiter to offer a strategy that will guarantee he never has to deal with this issue again. However, that certainly didn’t go well with the executives.

While some of the officials mentioned it as a smart move, others seemed visibly frustrated with the idea. A decision maker even said, “Hey, man, you’re asking for some things that get beyond that line of proprietary. It did kind of get to that line a little bit where you’re like, ‘Really?’ But you got to make a decision and then kind of put your best foot forward.” He feels that it is something unexpected from someone who is new in MLB and already asking for something that goes beyond the limits. But that’s not all!

Many other executives even blamed him for giving such a strange task and calling him an introvert. But, does this “homework” actually make sense? Well, Roki Sasaki is determined to resolve any issues in advance in order to become a future MLB great because he wants to concentrate on the long-term prospects.

And, with the Los Angeles Dodgers signing him, expectations are quite high from him now.

Dodgers’ expectations seem sky-high from their new signing

January 17—the day when the right-handed Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki had chosen the Los Angeles Dodgers as his landing destination. At just 23, he is a great splitter, and he throws at triple-digit speed, which makes him a promising ace for the future. Roki Sasaki has posted a 2.10 ERA, 505 strikeouts, and 88 walks in just 394⅔ innings with the Chiba Lotte Marines. Although he looks to make a successful transition to MLB seamlessly, there are few things that the Dodgers will look to focus on.

Roki’s not a great pitcher yet, and for him, to ask for a homework assignment regarding the decrease in fastball velocity is something not worthy. Given that he will play alongside match winners like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, he would get better. But that’s not all!

The fastballs appear to be reaching 102 mph, but they travel at a much lesser speed, in the range of 88-92 mph. It has very little spin, causing it to plummet, which further gets dropped down like a basic splitter or cutter. The quality of the pitch also plays a major role in it; so, it is important to ensure better command over the four-seam, especially to the right-handed batters. Roki could also focus on his usage of two-seamer and cutter, which would be more familiar in the league games.

The Dodgers expect a lot from Roki Sasaki; however, it will take some time to make it happen. Do you think the above suggestions will help Sasaki to improve in his long run with the Dodgers? Let us know in the comments below.