Roki Sasaki is a pitcher who embodies the phrase “freak of nature.” His electrifying stuff has had scouts drooling over him ever since he was a high school sensation, but the road to Major League Baseball is far from straightforward. After starring in Japan’s famed Summer Koshien, where he unleashed a jaw-dropping 435 pitches over eight days, Sasaki’s journey was marked by careful, almost cautious, management by his team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. 

Despite the raw potential, they treated him with kid gloves, limiting his innings and workload to ensure he didn’t burn out. That approach is almost unheard of for young, dynamic pitchers in the U.S., but it speaks to the commitment to his long-term health and success. However, as Sasaki prepares to make his enormous leap to the major leagues, there’s a catch: he’s never faced the kind of workload MLB starters typically endure. So now that the Dodgers have the Japanese player signed, their first obstacle might just be this. 

Can the Dodgers work around Roki Sasaki’s ability to endure a heavy workload? 

We already know that Roki Sasaki can throw heat, so the actual question revolves around whether his body can withstand the demands of a 162-game season. At over 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, Sasaki’s body isn’t exactly what one would expect from a “workhorse” pitcher, according to ESPN. The 23-year-old’s build doesn’t shout durability, and he is thin, almost wiry. However, some scouts are amazed by Sasaki’s power, agility, and fluid mechanics as they rebuke everyone who questions his physique.

“He’s an efficient mover,” one MLB pitching coach said, and those smooth, controlled movements may just be the key to avoiding injury despite the intense power he generates on every pitch.

In the long term, there’s optimism that the club can help the newly minted Dodger to bulk up to around 225 pounds, which could help him absorb some of the forces of his fiery delivery. ESPN added to think of it like adding a “shock absorber” — more weight might mean better endurance. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why teams in the majors were excited at the thought of Sasaki pitching in their rotation.   

The Dodgers sign a deal with the young Japanese pitcher 

Once again, the Los Angeles Dodgers have added a jewel to their already impressive squad. Japan’s pitching prodigy, Roki Sasaki, announced on January 17th that he will start his Major League Baseball career in 2025 with the World Series champions, which is hardly surprising. Sasaki made his decision clear in a brief but impactful Instagram post. 

“I will be signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a difficult decision, but I want to work hard to make sure it was the right one when I look back on my career one day,”  Sasaki wrote in the caption of the post. Joining a squad that already has Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani is a smart decision for a pitcher who has the raw potential to become one of the game’s next superstars. Because Sasaki is under 25, he will begin with a minor league contract with reports saying a $6.5 million bonus.  

After his team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, declared the 23-year-old right-hander available through the posting system, almost 20 clubs expressed interest in recruiting him. Sasaki was an absolute star throughout his four years in Nippon Professional Baseball. The Dodgers weren’t the only team interested in Sasaki, because of their blazing fastball that frequently reached 100 mph (160 kph) and his destructive splitter. Roki Sasaki selected them as their perfect landing location because of their reputation and presentation, which has become his trademark.