The coach is also dissatisfied with the fact that the 165km monster pitcher's physical strength will be okay
Sep 09, 2024
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Japan's 『Monster Pitcher" Roki Sasaki took the mound as a starting pitcher in a home game against the Rakuten Golden Eagles at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba, Japan on the 8th and recorded eight wins in the season with seven hits, seven strikeouts, and three runs in five innings. The team also won the game 9-5.
Sasaki, who is likely to advance to the Major League after the end of this season, has recently been in rotation on the 8th. Sasaki, who has yet to fill the regular innings since his professional debut due to large and small injuries that occur every year, has been out of power twice since the opening of this season, citing delays in recovery of his upper body.
Sasaki, who returned to the first team for the first time in about two months until August 1 after taking the mound on June 8, has recently had a longer break of 'alone'. He took the mound against the Nippon-Ham Fighters on August 22, took the mound against the Seibu Lions on August 30, and then took a break again on September 8, before playing against Rakuten on September 8. In Japanese professional baseball, the mound is average after a 5-6 day break, but it is somewhat unusual to take the mound after a 7-8 day break. It can be seen as a measure to manage Sasaki's condition.
That doesn't mean he has good innings. Of Sasaki's six appearances since August, only seven innings have been played (7 scoreless innings against Seibu, 8/30), and only five innings against Rakuten. The final pitch was 98 pitches. He took the mound after eight days of rest, but had to end the game with fewer than 100 pitches.
On the same day, Sasaki's maximum fastball speed was only 159 kilometers, which was less than usual, and not only his speed but also his control was not very good.
After the game, coach Yoshii Masato also told reporters "My control was not good." There were relatively many sliders"Loki (Sasaki) and other main starting pitchers urged them to work hard if they don't throw (at least six to seven innings)."
Major League clubs continue to watch him as he is a pitcher who sprays up to 165 kilometers of fastballs, but there are many question marks about his physical strength. Issues such as Chiba Lotte's 'Sasaki Overprotection Controversy' and rotation adjustment tailored only to Sasaki can be considered. In the Major League, it is common to take the mound after four to five days off.
An American League scout told 'Nikangendai' that "What bothers me is the recent interval between appearances" mentioned his honest concern about Sasaki.
youll@sportschosun.com
