The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t break the bank for Roki Sasaki just to see him struggle, but here we are. The Japanese phenom arrived with sky-high expectations, yet his early outings have been anything but dominant. Now, whispers of a potential minor league stint are growing louder—because nothing says “ace potential” like a ticket to Triple-A.
After a poor outing against the Tigers, the rumors of Sasaki being demoted to the minor leagues got stronger. The topic was also discussed on the Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney podcast.
During the discussion, Karl Ravech remarked, “It would not surprise to see Roki Sasaki in the minor leagues soon. Roki Sasaki is incredibly talented, but if you are walking 9 guys in a 4 2/3 inning, in your first two starts, when you’re throwing 117 pitches and only 57 strikes, you are making it easy. You are making it easy for the Dodgers to make this decision.”
Sasaki’s first two MLB starts have been a mix of promise and struggle, highlighting the challenges of transitioning to the major leagues. Across 4 2/3 innings pitched, Sasaki has posted an ERA of 5.79, striking out only 4 batters while issuing 9 walks. This lack of control has resulted in a concerning WHIP of 2.79.
For all the hype, Sasaki’s first taste of MLB has been more “work in progress” than an “instant ace.” The Dodgers didn’t sign him to throw batting practice, but with a WHIP approaching rush-hour traffic levels, that’s what he’s delivering. If he doesn’t find the strike zone soon, his next pitch might be from a minor-league mound. Stay tuned to find more.
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