Roki Sasaki is a Japanese pitcher with an elite fastball that sits in the upper-90s and features top-notch vertical life. He also has a splitter/forkball, along with a pair of breaking balls. Sasaki has been designated as a potential No. 2 starter, and he threw the first perfect game in Nippon Professional Baseball in nearly three decades in April 2022. His fastball is one of the best in the world, averaging better than 99.5 mph with 19.8 inches of induced vertical break and 15.4 inches of horizontal break, an unmatched combination. Sasaki is expected to make a name for himself in the baseball world, and fans and evaluators are excited to see what he has in store.
Live Updates: Japan vs. Mexico Score in World Baseball Classic with Spot to Face Team USA on the Line
Mexico maintains a 3-0 lead against Japan through four innings. However, Japan has two runners on the corners with two outs, and slugger Murakami is up to bat. Earlier, Sandoval threw 64 pitches and kept it 3-0 for Mexico. Now, Urquidy has come in to continue the job.
Earlier, we wrote about the potential transfer of Japanese pitcher Yamamoto to the MLB. The success of Japanese pitchers like Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka, and Hiroki Kuroda, among others, proves that NPB pitchers can handle themselves in the MLB. Yamamoto has a great command of a mid-90s fastball with carry, as well as a swing-and-miss splitter and a high-spin curveball. However, he would need to prove that his stuff, particularly his splitter, is as effective in the US. Yamamoto is listed at 5-foot-10 with a slight frame, but teams appear to be more favorable to shorter pitchers these days due to the increased popularity of the vertical approach angle concept and decreased expectations in starter workload. Yamamoto will likely be considered a No. 2 starter when he comes over.
Sandoval, who had a great season in MLB last year, is facing off against his Angels teammate, Ohtani. Sandoval threw three pitches more than 20 percent of the time: a mid-80s slider, a low-80s changeup (his best bat-missing pitch), and a low-to-mid-90s fastball. His delivery includes crossfire action, meaning that he throws across his body, adding to his deception profile. On the other hand, Sasaki has pitched two scoreless innings and threw a 101 mph fastball to Arozarena.
Sandoval will have to work around traffic for the first time in the upcoming innings. He is staying in the game despite throwing 25 pitches. In the meantime, Mexico continues to lead 3-0 against Japan.
In the fifth inning, Japan has two on with one out, and Urquidy comes in to relieve Sandoval. The game continues to be exciting as both teams fight for a chance to face Team USA.
Meet Roki Sasaki: The Japanese Phenom With an Elite Fastball
Roki Sasaki is a Japanese pitcher who has been making waves in the baseball world. Sasaki has a phenomenal fastball that sits in the upper-90s and features top-notch vertical life. He also has a splitter/forkball, along with a pair of breaking balls. According to data obtained by CBS Sports, Sasaki’s fastball averaged better than 99.5 mph and featured 19.8 inches of induced vertical break and 15.4 inches of horizontal break. That’s an elite, unmatched combination.
Sasaki has been designated as a potential No. 2 starter, as many evaluators are reluctant to designate someone an “ace” until they’ve established themselves at a high level over several years. Nonetheless, Sasaki is a force to be reckoned with on the field.
In April of 2022, Sasaki threw the first perfect game in Nippon Professional Baseball in nearly three decades. Fans and evaluators alike are excited to see what else he has in store. The first pitch of the game is coming in about an hour, and those who haven’t seen Sasaki before are in for a treat.
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