At a press conference introducing rookie Roki Sasaki on January 22, 2025, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stunned fans with a short yet powerful statement: “His journey is just beginning.”
Roki Sasaki, 23, is an exceptional pitching talent from Japan, renowned for his fastball exceeding 100 mph. Before joining the Dodgers, he had four impressive seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), posting a 30-15 record with a 2.02 ERA. Most notably, in April 2022, Sasaki made history by pitching a perfect game, striking out 19 batters—including 13 consecutive strikeouts, setting a record for the longest streak in a single game.
Signing Sasaki is part of the Dodgers’ strategy to strengthen their roster and maintain their dominance in Major League Baseball. He will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, forming a formidable trio for the team.
Sasaki expressed excitement about beginning his MLB career and learning from his new teammates, stating, “I’m looking forward to proving that I can stand alongside them.”
With Sasaki’s addition, Dodgers fans have every reason to anticipate a thrilling season and outstanding performances from their new young star.
