: Sasaki’s walk rate has spiked compared to his NPB days. In a recent outing against the Texas Rangers , he issued five walks in just four innings, emphasizing his need to "go deeper in the game" [13, 20].
The Roki Sasaki Experience: Can the "Monster of the Reiwa" Tame MLB? : Sasaki’s walk rate has spiked compared to his NPB days
Early 2026 has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Sasaki. While he’s flashed the elite swing-and-miss stuff that made him a legend in Japan, his consistency has been elusive [18]. Early 2026 has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Sasaki
High velocity (97+ mph) but currently prone to being "hit hard" [13]. Remains his most lethal weapon for chasing hitters [5]. Cutter/Slider Remains his most lethal weapon for chasing hitters [5]
The Dodgers' front office is playing the long game, focusing on repeatable mechanics over raw speed. As Sasaki himself put it after a rough Colorado start : "In the long run, I have to do the things I need to work on" [12, 13, 10].
Despite the early "growing pains," the underlying metrics show a pitcher with a massive ceiling. He recently secured his first win of the 2026 season against the Cubs, showing he can battle through tough situations [13, 18].