The Tokyo Dome has witnessed some of Japan’s greatest baseball legends make history. Hideo Nomo’s “Tornado” delivery revolutionized pitching in the MLB. Shohei Ohtani’s two-way brilliance stunned the world. Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka, and Daisuke Matsuzaka all carried the weight of expectation as they made their transitions from NPB to the Major Leagues. Now, Roki Sasaki steps onto that same stage, ready to write his own chapter.

The weight of history, the roar of a home crowd, and the emotions of a journey coming full circle—Roki Sasaki is about to experience it all. Just a year ago, he was the ace of the Chiba Lotte Marines, mesmerizing Japanese baseball fans with his electrifying fastball. Now, at only 23 years old, he is set to make his Dodgers debut—not in Los Angeles, but right here in Japan, where his baseball story began.

For Sasaki, this moment is more than just his first step in MLB; it’s a homecoming wrapped in destiny. Dave Roberts, who has strong ties to Japan himself due to his mother’s heritage, reflected on Sasaki’s emotions leading up to his debut, revealing a heartfelt conversation with the young pitcher. “He just shared how great it was and how emotional it was to be back here… a year ago, he was pitching for a team in Japanese baseball. Now he’s pitching for the Dodgers.”

This sentiment resonates deeply, considering Sasaki’s personal history. He hails from Rikuzentakata, a city devastated by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which claimed the lives of his father and grandparents. Overcoming such profound loss, Sasaki’s ascent in baseball serves as a testament to his resilience and dedication.

The right-hander first garnered international attention during his tenure with Japan’s NPB league. His tenure there was highlighted by a historic perfect game on April 10, 2022, where he struck out 19 batters, including a record-breaking 13 consecutive strikeouts—a feat that hadn’t been achieved in 28 years. The Dodgers recognized Sasaki’s immense potential and signed him as an international free agent. His impressive stats in the NPB, boasting a career ERA of 2.02 and an 11.4 strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate, made him a coveted asset for MLB teams.

As Sasaki prepares to face the Cubs, expectations are high. His arsenal includes a fastball that can reach up to 101 mph and a devastating forkball, pitches that have baffled hitters in Japan. Analysts and fans alike are eager to see how his skills translate to the MLB, especially against seasoned hitters.

How do Roki Sasaki’s NPB stats compare to Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

Roki Sasaki’s rise in NPB  has drawn inevitable comparisons to two of his new Dodgers teammates—Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. As Sasaki prepares for his MLB debut, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his numbers in Japan stack up against these established superstars who successfully made the jump to MLB.

At first glance, Sasaki’s NPB resume is shorter, with only four seasons under his belt compared to Ohtani’s five and Yamamoto’s seven. However, his impact during that time was undeniable. In 414.2 innings, Sasaki posted a remarkable 2.02 ERA, lower than Ohtani’s (2.52) and just shy of Yamamoto’s (1.82). His WHIP (0.883) and strikeout rate (11.4 K/9) were the best of the three, showcasing his ability to dominate hitters with elite velocity and command. His 19-strikeout perfect game in 2022 remains one of the most dominant pitching performances in Japanese baseball history.

What sets Sasaki apart is his early dominance. Ohtani balanced pitching and hitting, while Yamamoto developed into an ace over time. Sasaki, on the other hand, was an overpowering force from the start, consistently reaching triple digits on his fastball and pairing it with a devastating splitter. Sasaki’s numbers in NPB don’t just suggest potential—they scream dominance. But now, the real test begins.

Can he replicate his success against the best hitters in the world? Can he follow in the footsteps of Ohtani and Yamamoto? The stage is set. Now, it’s up to Sasaki to deliver.