Roki Sasaki was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this year and many scouts in MLB are hailing him as the best starter in the world, even though he has yet to make his debut. This pressure can create a lot of noise for the Japanese pitcher in his rookie season. However, pitching coach Mark Prior knows how to handle this situation.
In the middle of spring training, Mark Prior has a difficult task with Sasaki, as he did in 2024 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Both Prior and Roberts will have to ensure that Roki Sasaki adapts to the Major League style, that is, the media pressure, standing on the mound in front of thousands of people and aware that he will be watched by millions of television viewers with every pitch.
On Sunday, during an interview on the The Dodgers Bleed podcast, Prior revealed the plans they have for Roki Sasaki and agreed with Dave Roberts. “I think the priority is the same as what we did with Yamamoto last year: just trying to get him acclimated, you know, one, to the American style of baseball, and two, to the practices, meetings and different aspects of the game.”
Although Japanese baseball is also known for its high level of play, there are always differences and therefore Mark Prior has sought to get to know him personally, to understand what he is trying to do and how he goes about his work. “These first few weeks here have really been about getting to know each other and then moving on from there, so that he can focus on some things that he wants to work on.”
Mark Prior praises Roki Sasaki’s ‘curiosity’
After watching Roki Sasaki train at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Spring Training in Glendale, Arizona, one of the qualities the rookie appreciated was his curiosity. His interaction with his teammates is extremely outgoing and he has made a good impression with them.
“Ultimately, I think those relationships will pay off as the season goes on because there will be ups and downs, like with any baseball player. The game is hard, but having those relationships and developing them now is really important.”
Mark Prior also added that Sasaki has been fun in camp, but considers him a motivated and strong personality when it comes to work ethic.
Unlike other international signings, there is a good chance that Los Angeles Dodgers will have Roki Sasaki on the mound in the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19, Major League Baseball’s opening date
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