What Roki Sasaki did in his debut in the Cactus League against the Cincinnati Reds went beyond everyone’s expectations – he surpassed them completely. The 23-year-old Japanese sensation showcased his talent effortlessly with a blazing fastball clocked at an average of 98 mph and a deceptive splitter that left batters baffled.

Alluding to even greater potential with his slider as he struck out five opponents in three scoreless innings. The raw velocity, combined with the way hitters flailed at his pitches, made one thing clear: Sasaki isn’t here to adjust—he’s here to dominate.

His performance was so electric that even his own teammates struggled to process it. Kiké Hernández, a $6.5 million veteran, couldn’t contain his reaction.

As he posted an Instagram story of Sasaki’s pitching with the caption “よく頑張った!” (“He did a great job.”) It wasn’t just admiration—it was recognition that Sasaki is operating on a different level. From the moment he started dealing, the dugout knew this wasn’t just another spring training outing. This was a glimpse of something special.

Calling Roki Sasaki a rookie almost feels misleading. Certainly! It may be his debut season in Major League Baseball; however, his impressive track record says it all. In 2023, he matched fellow countryman Shohei Ohtani’s milestone for the fastest pitch ever delivered by a Japanese player in NPB history by reaching 102 mph four times within a single game.

Prior to that achievement, he established a high school record with a blazing 101 mph fastball. He continued to excel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic with a 3.52 ERA and 11 strikeouts. Impressive stats for any pitcher and especially remarkable for someone in their early 20s.

And now, Roki Sasaki is bringing that same dominance to MLB. The way he throws his fastball is impressive with a burst of speed, his splitter takes a drop when it reaches the plate, and his calm demeanor on the pitcher’s mound masks the fact that he’s still adapting to a different league setting. It almost seems like he’s progressing faster than expected based on how he performed in his spring game.

Spring training is usually a period for refining skills and techniques; however, Sasaki seemed determined to prove a point this time. His pitches were not just strong enough to beat the batters but also seemed to intimidate them. The Reds lineup struggled to handle his split-finger fastball and could barely make contact with his blazing high-speed pitches. Despite some issues with control at times, Sasaki left no doubt that he’s not timid about entering the leagues—he’s diving in, without hesitation.

How Roki Sasaki compares to other Japanese pitching stars

Japan has produced some of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history, each bringing a unique flair to the game. Hideo Nomo made an impact on the league during the 1990s with his tornado-like windup and deadly forkball pitch. Yu Darvish gained fame for his range of breaking pitches while Masahiro Tanaka established himself as a starter for the New York Yankees with his trademark splitter pitch.

Then Shohei Ohtani broke boundaries by showcasing skills both as a pitcher and a hitter in a way that redefined expectations. Roki Sasaki is taking on MLB with an approach – sheer and dominating speed. While Tanaka and Darvish focused on finesse and trickery in their pitching styles Sasaki stands out by combining his fastball with a splitter that has a drop making people think of Kevin Gausman and Koji Uehara’s unplayable versions.

Another key difference is Sasaki’s rapid ascent to MLB. In contrast to those before him who toiled for years in Nippon Professional Baseball, Roki Sasaki was nurtured with care by the Chiba Lotte Marines, often pitched after ample breaks. This approach has left him with a rested arm and a reservoir of potential that surpasses that of Japanese star pitchers making their debut in Major League Baseball. While Darvish and Tanaka arrived after logging over 1,000 NPB innings, Sasaki made the jump with fewer than 500. This means he could continue developing in ways that other Japanese pitchers couldn’t upon arrival.

If his electric Cactus League debut is any indication, Sasaki isn’t just the next great Japanese pitcher—he might be one of the best MLB has ever seen. Do you think Sasaki’s electric arsenal makes him an instant ace in MLB, or will hitters eventually adjust to his overpowering stuff?