LOS ANGELES, CA — Earlier this week, the Dodgers introduced Roki Sasaki to Los Angeles. It was the usual setup at Dodger Stadium with Broadcaster Joe Davis introducing the Dodgers’ front office of President & CEO: Stan Kasten, President, Baseball Operations: Andrew Friedman, Executive Vice President & General Manager: Brandon Gomes, and manager Dave Roberts as well as Sasaki and the Dodgers’ Japanese interpreter, Will Ireton.
Roki Sasaki was officially introduced as a Dodger earlier this week in Los Angeles – Image Credit: MLB
We heard the typical things we expect to hear from the front office. The usual questions from the press were asked, and then Sasaki began to talk about why he chose the Dodgers.
He had given the eight or so teams he was considering a homework assignment before they met. One of the questions was: “Why was my fastball velocity down last year, and how can you ensure that never happens to me again?” That tells us he recognizes that he can improve with proper coaching. He said, “I want to be great.” Well, guess what? He chose the right team for that.
Shohei Ohtani and how the Dodgers go about it have made way for multiple free-agent splashes this offseason – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Going back to the days of Branch Rickey, who built a farm system that ushered in players for both the Cardinals and, later, the Dodgers, developing players for the Major Leagues.
The Dodgers also have a long history of using former great players to work with young prospects, especially pitchers. Passing on to them everything they know. Recently, Orel Hershiser was doing that very thing to the Dodger’s latest phenom, Gavin Stone. When Stone said: “I can’t believe you are telling me all this stuff.” Hershiser told him: “This is how we do it in this organization. I had Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Tommy Lasorda, and now you have me and many more. That is how it works here.”
Tommy Lasorda and Orel Hershiser throw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium prior to Game 6 of the 2017 World Series – Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports
Sasaki knows that the Dodgers scouted him in High School and have done their homework on him like a Rhodes Scholar. People like Director of Asia-Pacific Scouting: Jon Deeble. Director, Player Development: Matt McGrath, Director, Asia-Pacific Operations: Yayoi Sato, have watched him for years and probably know him and his mechanics better than anyone. That knowledge will help this 23-year-old become one of the best pitchers in baseball.
It wasn’t just random things that a club offered him that would make him sign with them; it was what an organization could do to help him become great. He feels confident the Dodgers will do that for him. It’s the Dodger way, and Sasaki knows it.
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