Roki Sasaki is 'more focused than ever' in new journey in L.A.

LOS ANGELES – After officially signing on Wednesday, the Dodgers introduced Roki Sasaki at Dodger Stadium.

Sasaki visited Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night to attend the Lakers game against the Washington Wizards. He met with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura before the game as they welcomed him to Los Angeles.

This town has always been driven by star athletes, but the arrival of Sasaki is unlike any other celebrity to come here to play. At 23 years old, Sasaki has pitched professionally in Japan for the past four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines. Top athletes from around the world are drawn to Los Angeles not only because it’s one of the best places to live, but also because it offers excellent opportunities for self-promotion.

The most notable aspect that stood out to Sasaki during meetings with other teams was the stability of the Dodgers' front office compared to others. Observing the team's achievements over the past ten years since acquiring the franchise, it is impressive that they have won two World Series championships.

“Putting on this Dodgers uniform today, I am reminded that my journey is about to begin and it makes me feel more focused than ever,” Sasaki said.

The Dodgers were not the only team competing to sign Sasaki; the Padres and Blue Jays were also finalists in the bidding. Dodgers President Stan Kasten discussed the challenges of this transaction, emphasizing that it wasn't just a matter of which team had the most money. Instead, it was about which organization could present itself as the most appealing and well-run option for Sasaki.

“I am deeply honored that many teams reached out to me with such enthusiasm, especially considering I haven't achieved much in Japan,” Sasaki said.

Sasaki expressed that making the choice to join the Dodgers was not a straightforward decision for him. He recognizes that there are a wide range of opinions regarding his move to Los Angeles, with some supporters and some critics. Acknowledging the weight of these differing perspectives, he is fully aware that his transition to the major leagues will come with numerous challenges in his first season with the Dodgers. From adapting to the rigorous demands of professional baseball to managing the expectations of fans and media alike, he is preparing himself mentally and physically for the hurdles that lie ahead.

“Since I signed a minor league contract, my goal is, first and foremost, to beat the competition and make sure that I do get a major league contract,” Sasaki said.

Sasaki is under 25 years old, so he cannot sign a major league deal. This is why he had to sign a minor league contract instead.

Although Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are key players for the Dodgers, it was not the sole reason for Sasaki's interest in joining the team. For Sasaki, the decision to sign with a new organization involved more than just a connection to his former Team Japan teammates; it was vital for him to find a club that demonstrated a clear understanding of how to effectively manage his career during this critical phase of his transition to Major League Baseball. 

One of Sasaki's main concerns is his fastball velocity, which has noticeably declined over the previous season. He expressed a keen interest in discovering how major league teams, including the Dodgers, could provide the support and resources necessary to help him regain and potentially improve his velocity on the mound. This aspect of team management and development was a significant factor in his decision-making process, emphasizing his commitment to maximizing his potential as he navigates this new chapter in his career.

Sasaki assigned teams to analyze the velocity of his fastball and assess his development over the next few years. Meanwhile, the Dodgers used every strategy at their disposal to convince him that Los Angeles was the best place for him to play while continuing his development.

“The homework assignment, our ability to showcase our performance science group, training staff, performing staff, pitching coaches, how connected those groups are,” Andrew Friedman said. “We felt like we highlighted our strengths of ours.”

Miguel Rojas, who previously wore No. 11, has passed this number to Sasaki. Rojas will return to wearing No. 72, which he donned while playing for the Dodgers in 2014.

“I am really grateful that a veteran like Miguel Rojas has let me wear No.11, and I haven’t decided yet on what I’m going to give, but I’m going to start thinking about that,” Sasaki said.