Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws during his first live bullpen session during spring training baseball practice, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Almost a month after signing with the
Los Angeles Dodgers
,
Roki Sasaki
finally got the chance to face the
Major League hitters
on Wednesday. However, instead of being nervous about facing them, Sasaki appeared fully confident and later opened up about her Day 1e experience at the
Camelback Ranch
.
Roki Sasaki opens up about Camelback Ranch’s Field 1 experience
On Wednesday, everyone from the Los Angeles Dodgers family was behind a screen to watch Roki Sasaki demonstrate his magic at the Camelback Ranch’s Field 1. Sasaki faced Major League hitters and later confessed that he “wasn’t really nervous” in front of them. Talking about her overall experience, Sasaki said:
“There were more players behind the plate than I thought (there would be), but I wasn’t really nervous. I was just a little surprised to see that many of them there.”
Roki Sasaki Reacts to Throwing First Live Batting Practice, & Ohtani and Yamamoto Are Helping Him!
Roki Saki threw a total of two simulated innings, i.e., a 12-pitch inning and a 15-pitch inning. According to MLB insider Cary Osborne, this was among the most-watched events for the Dodgers in Spring Training.
David Bote
was among the hitters who faced Sasaki. Sharing his experience in front of Sasaki, Bote said:
“I think that’s what I’ve noticed a lot — the support from the group here, support from hitters and pitchers seeing what Roki can do. And just to come out and do that with that group of people, and to throw a live BP with like 50 people literally right behind you, that takes guts as well.”
2025 Dodgers Spring Training: David Bote impressed by Roki Sasaki
“So the fact that he went up and showed really what he’s about and how he can pitch and how he’s going to handle all this is, that’s also a mental side that I think it’s going to be really cool for him to be able to do that with that setting. That speaks volumes,” Bote further added.
Also Read:Los Angeles Dodgers stressed about Roki Sasaki’s ‘health’ as MLB debut seems concerning
Even though Roki Sasaki has proved to be a pitcher full of talent, ex-Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd feels that he’s a “development project.” Moreover, Padres Yu Darvis also claimed that Sasaki has been dealing with “hard times” as his MLB debut nears.
