Major League Baseball fans were wowed by the big-league debut of Japanese hurler Roki Sasaki on Wednesday morning, already deeming him ‘one of the greats’ with his ‘filthy’ Dodgers’ beginning.
The 23-year-old Japanese star made the switch from his domestic league to MLB this year, teaming with Shohei Ohtani in Los Angeles.
Yet, his MLB debut came in his home country, inside the Tokyo Dome, where Sasaki pitched three innings and gave up only one hit, striking out a trio of Chicago Cubs batters.
Sasaki generated a ton of buzz for his MLB debut on the backs of his performances from the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
And as his transition to America’s pastime continues, some are painting Sasaki to follow in Ohtani’s footsteps and become a Japanese legend.
It is lofty talk for someone who has only thrown 56 pitches from an MLB mound, and none in the United States.
Major League Baseball fans were wowed by the debut of Japanese hurler Roki Sasaki
The 23-year-old Japanese star made the switch from his domestic league to MLB this year
‘Not every pitcher could handle the pressure of getting out of a jam like this in front of 45,000 fans in Tokyo. Not every pitcher is Roki Sasaki,’ one fan said on X.
‘Roki Sasaki’s first three MLB pitches – 100 mph, 100 mph, and 100 mph! He’s bringing the heat right from the start. Exciting to see such a powerful debut,’ a second said on social media.
‘That second pitch was filthy,’ a Dodgers supporter said on a third-inning sinker.
‘He’s going to be one or the greats,’ another fan concluded.
A collection of social-media messages celebrating the MLB debut of Dodgers’ star Roki Sasaki
Sasaki will not pitch in a competitive game in Japan again until next year, at the earliest, with his road to success coming in a more traditional MLB setting from here on out.
Yet, Sasaki wanted to live in the moment, as he saw his new team start the year 2-0 with a pair of victories in his home country.
‘I was nervous but I really wanted to make sure that I made the most of this unique experience and do my best,’ Sasaki said after the win. ‘I was nervous, but in a way, it helped me concentrate. It helped me be in the moment.
Sasaki will not start again for close to two weeks as Opening Day is slated for March 27.
