sportingnews
Roki Sasaki got a high-profile assignment immediately following the All-Star Break.
He'd be the Los Angeles Dodgers' first pitcher of their first series back, taking the mound on Friday night against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
Sasaki looked like a totally different pitcher, in the best way.
The Dodgers won the game 2-1, in large part because Sasaki was overpowering.
Entering the night, he had never thrown more than four pitches in a start that reached 100 miles per hour.
On Friday night, Sasaki got to 100 MPH a whopping 21 times.
Roki Sasaki, 100+ MPH Pitches Per MLB Game: Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 18, 2026 2, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 1, 4, 1, 0, 1, 21 pic.twitter.com/juclf8HLRn This wasn't fluky or ineffective velocity, either.
Sasaki was throwing the ball right past the Yankees: Roki Sasaki's average fastball velocity of 100.1 MPH was his highest in an MLB start! MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 18, 2026 (MLBStats x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/IsP6o2qlSJ It's a huge development for the Dodgers if this keeps up.
When they signed Sasaki before 2025, he was supposed to be their next Japanese superstar.
It's been mostly a struggle, though, aside from a temporary move to the bullpen for the 2025 postseason.
If Sasaki has unlocked an extra gear, it will go a long way toward helping him reach his potential.
And at least at Yankee Stadium on Friday night, Sasaki sure looked like an improved pitcher.
More MLB news: - How Aaron Judge is the real focus of the Yankees' trade deadline plans - CC Sabathia's son gets drafted by one of his former teams - After 9 years in the minor leagues, a magical moment for Tigers catcher - How Rays turned Tim Beckham bust draft pick into Junior Caminero - Barry Bonds' nephew has a chance to be key pick in 2026 MLB Draft.