Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Enrique Breaks Silence on Roki Sasaki's Dodgers Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 2:00 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki came into his first year in the major leagues as the No. 1 prospect in baseball. The 23-year-old is on a minor league contract and will not be arbitration-eligible until after the 2027 season.

Despite all of the hype and excitement surrounding Sasaki, it has been far from an ideal first month.

Sasaki was roughed up in his first two starts, going a combined four and 2/3 innings with three earned runs on four hits, nine walks, and five strikeouts. Of his 117 pitches, only 57 were thrown for strikes.

However, Sasaki looked far more comfortable in his most recent start against the Philadelphia Phillies, making it through four innings with one earned run, three hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. It was not perfect, but it was a step in the right direction.

Here’s what his teammate and Dodgers veteran Enrique Hernández had to say via Dodgers Nation:

“Everything is under a microscope right now, because of all the hype,” Hernández said. “But if it was any other random name who struggled through their first two starts, nobody would be making a big deal out of it. So I think the kid’s going to be more than all right, and he showed that today. There’s no need to panic over one or two bad outings.”

In fairness to Sasaki’s lofty expectations, there is typically a bit of an adjustment period for Japanese players, particularly pitchers, when moving to American baseball. The Nippon Professional Baseball ball is smaller, easier to grip, and wound more tightly, all factors that alleviate the difficulties of pitching.

Sasaki still has not had that dominant performance, and until he does, the fans and media will continue to nitpick his every pitch. Whether fair or not, this is the reality of being a high-profile acquisition in a high-profile market.

Hernández has played 12 years for four franchises and did not immediately burst onto the scene. If anyone knows something about early verdicts being wrong, it’s Hernández. While the verdict on Sasaki is not yet out, another stretch like this will raise some valid questions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: