The “Monster of the Reiwa Era” is looking more like a rookie in distress these days. Roki Sasaki, Japan’s pitching prodigy, is finding the hard way that the jump to the big leagues is no walk in the park. His latest outing against the Detroit Tigers was less “monster” and more “meltdown,” lasting a mere 1.2 innings and serving up two runs and four walks on 61 pitches. When Sasaki trudged off the mound with his face as red as a summer sunset, you could almost see the weight of expectations crushing down on his shoulders. But let’s not write off Sasaki just yet. The Dodgers knew they were getting a work in progress, not an instant ace. So, what’s behind this rocky start for Roki?

When Sasaki landed in MLB, he was already a sensation and a highly sought-after minor league free agent. And when he finally stepped on the ballfield, it was evident that the pressure was relentless. On top of that, there have been challenges like adapting to a higher pitch count, longer season, heavier workload, and maintaining his health. It’s becoming clear that his biggest rival might not be the hitters but the grind of the MLB season itself. His vulnerability during the recent outing caught the attention of both fans and analysts. While fans are blasting Sasaki on social media, an MLB analyst has an interesting take on him that’s impossible to ignore.

Jim Bowden, a former MLB general manager and a present Foul Territory analyst, offered some much-needed advice to the 23-year-old. “You’ve got to be able to handle it, and you’ve got to be able to get through it,” he said. That’s some solid advice coming from Bowden. He believes Sasaki’s struggles in MLB boil down to a combination of mental and mechanical issues. He pointed out that Sasaki’s mental game is really what’s causing his mechanical hiccups, which leads to problems with command and control. If Sasaki can toughen up mentally, he will have a much better shot at success in MLB.

Apparently, there are no second thoughts about his fastball—it’s simply electric. In a nutshell, Bowden emphasized that Sasaki should take adaptability, mindfulness, and rising above the hardships as he does with his fastball. And guess what? His numbers show he’s more than ready. At such a young age, he posted a groundbreaking 1.84 ERA in Japan, leaving hitters baffled at the plate. That’s pure talent, right? But well, it’s not enough to guarantee success at the next level.

On the brighter side, Sasaki has a unique advantage: he’s surrounded by a team perfectly built to help him thrive. And Bowden ideally summed it up: “But the best thing for Sasaki is the environment he’s in. He’s with Ohtani; he’s with Yamamoto; he’s got tremendous pitching coaches and a great analytics department. He can’t be in a better spot.” Well, he isn’t wrong. Shohei Ohtani has completely changed the game for Japanese players in MLB. And having him as a mentor could be a game-changer for Sasaki as he makes his transition.

Though Sasaki’s visible disappointment in himself has been the talk of the town lately, the Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t bothered. Manager Dave Roberts called it part of a “learning curve,” while expressing confidence in Sasaki, saying, “We still got a good ball club, and we’re going to need him.” 

Let’s not forget—it’s still early in the season. While there are shadows of doubt about Sasaki’s ability to adapt, it all comes down the mental toughness.  If he can rise to the challenge, his game has the potential to reach incredible heights.

Roki Sasaki takes responsibility for performance

Well, it goes without saying that Ohtani has set an incredibly high bar for Japanese stars coming to America. Being one of those stars, when Sasaki failed to meet even a fraction of the expectations from Dodgers fans, he didn’t know how to process it. However, Sasaki didn’t step back from taking responsibility for his performance. “Overall, I didn’t feel like I had a great feel for my mechanics,” he admitted, through his interpreter in a conversation with SportsNet LA reporter Kirsten Watson. 

He also said, “My slider felt pretty good, but my fastball and split, both in terms of velocity and command, weren’t there…” Since debuting in the MLB, Sasaki has struggled to find his usual command. While talking about his performance, he also acknowledged that he has seen both good and bad moments with these mechanics. And let’s face it—it’s never easy for rookies to find immediate success in the league. He just needs to focus on building his mental toughness, which will help him find his rhythm in due time.

For now, with the six-man starting rotation, the Dodgers are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies. Until then, Sasaki isn’t expected back on the mound. But it wouldn’t be an easy test for Sasaki against the Phillies’ power-packed lineup with elite hitters. For now, the Dodgers remain hopeful that he will find his groove before the weekend matchup.

Just some work on his mental toughness, and his talent will take care of the rest.