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Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Roki Sasaki Wanted Analysis On Fastball Velocity Decline During Team Meetings
Dodgers News

Roki Sasaki Wanted Analysis On Fastball Velocity Decline During Team Meetings

Sebastian Abdón Ibarra
January 20, 2025
3 Min Read
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The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off their biggest coup of the offseason with Roki Sasaki announcing his intent to sign with the team. Despite best efforts of the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers came out on top with their second high-profile starting pitcher signing of free agency.

While the star power that the Dodgers were able to bring to the table in their second meeting with Sasaki helped move the needle, there was plenty of work that went into getting that opportunity.

What may have ultimately sealed the deal was how the Dodgers answered a key question Sasaki had during the initial round of team meetings.

According to Fabian Ardaya, Dennis Lin and others of The Athletic, Sasaki wanted information on his fastball velocity decreasing during the 2024 season:

He asked each potential employer to explain the reason behind a vexing issue that lingered over his final season before a long-anticipated jump to the majors: Why did his velocity fall off?

Sasaki’s inquiry impressed those involved in the sweepstakes and served as further indication of his desire to become one of the best pitchers:

The question was pointed and “incredibly thoughtful,” according to one of the executives tasked with answering it. It also proved consuming, posed to teams just days before the first round of meetings.
 
“The homework assignment,” said one club official briefed on the process, “was the presentation, basically.”

Sasaki was dominant on the mound with 12 strikeouts per nine innings in 2022 and 13.4 in 2023. However, in 2024 a dip in velocity saw his strikeouts per nine innings drop, while Sasaki’s ERA, hits allowed and walks all increased.

Going to a team that would help him develop into the best version of himself was reportedly a high priority for Sasaki. The Dodgers have developed a reputation over the years as one of the best at handling pitching talent, so it is no surprise that they seemingly impressed Sasaki with their insight.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto ‘instrumental’ to Dodgers signing Roki Sasaki

While the Dodgers pulled out all the stops during their second interview with Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto in particular was reportedly ‘instrumental’ in their efforts.

Yamamoto played a key role in being able articulate how the Dodgers assisted his transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB last season, which was obviously a huge selling point for Sasaki.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

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TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersRoki Sasaki
BySebastian Abdón Ibarra
Sebastian Ibarra covers the Las Vegas Raiders as a staff writer for Raiders Newswire. He previously worked as a Marketing/Communications intern for the Ontario Jr Reign, and a staff writer and two time Editor for the Campus Times at the University of La Verne. Sebastian graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2022 from ULV with a major in Communications. His love of sports stems from his baseball career starting at tee-ball and ending his senior year at Servite High School. He enjoys video games and DC comics in his spare time. Follow him on Twitter: @sebas_abdon.
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