Sasaki was the biggest name in international free agency ahead of the 2025 season, and for good reason. He had been one of the best pitchers in the NPB for several seasons and was fantastic during the 2023 WBC. The Dodgers signed the young right-hander on January 22.
He made his debut for the Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series and had a confusing first outing, allowing just one hit and one run but walking five batters in three innings. His struggles continued over his next seven starts, eventually sitting at a 4.72 ERA through his first eight MLB appearances.
Sasaki then landed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, missed significant time and eventually moved to the 60-day injured list in June. During his rehab assignment, the right-hander lost speed and struggled in Triple-A, leaving his future as a starter in doubt.
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He didn’t quit, though, working through his mechanics with the Dodgers and taking on a new role as a relief pitcher in an effort to make the postseason roster. Sasaki returned to the MLB on September 24 and immediately made an impact for the Dodgers.
The 24-year-old made a statement in his first game back, striking out two batters and pitching a perfect inning in a low-leverage situation against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Most importantly, though, his speed returned.
Two days later, he had another scoreless inning against the Seattle Mariners, also striking out two batters.
Sasaki earned a spot on the Dodgers’ Wild Card roster and made one appearance during the first round of LA’s postseason campaign. He struck out two batters again and held the Cincinnati Reds scoreless to close the door on the series.
The Dodgers gave Sasaki a much bigger role in the NLDS, where he became the Dodgers’ most reliable reliever and endeared himself to Dodger fans.
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Sasaki recorded his first two MLB saves in dominant performances against the Phillies on the road, but his third appearance in the series blew the first two out of the water. He pitched three perfect innings in Game 4, powering through Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in his first inning to help their Dodgers to a dramatic victory and send them to the NLCS.
He allowed just one run in 10.2 innings of postseason baseball and was instrumental in the Dodgers’ run to the World Series. For that reason, it ranks ninth on the list.
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn images
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