The Dodgers' Latest Phenomenon: A 23-Year-Old Japanese Pitching Sensation
My memo-
The Los Angeles Dodgers recently made headlines by signing a 23-year-old Japanese pitcher whose talents have sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball. This young phenom—known for his devastating split-finger fastball—was pursued by nearly every MLB team, but the Dodgers ultimately secured his services. What makes this pitcher unique, and why has his arrival sparked such excitement among baseball fans and analysts? Let’s dive into the unique skill set and training methods that have made this young pitcher a sensation and the broader impact of Japan’s approach to teaching baseball.
The Split-Finger Fastball: A Weapon of Deception
The split-finger fastball, or "splitter," is one of the most deceptive pitches in baseball. From the batter’s perspective, it looks like a fastball as it approaches the plate. The grip and release of the splitter mimic those of a four-seam fastball, creating the illusion of a high-speed pitch. However, as the batter commits to their swing, the ball drops suddenly, often tumbling out of the strike zone.
The Dodgers' new acquisition throws his splitter at an average velocity of 85 mph, a stark contrast to the 95+ mph fastballs that many MLB hitters are accustomed to. For context, a traditional changeup hovers around 83 mph. This subtle difference in speed, combined with the splitter’s sharp downward movement, makes it a nightmare for hitters to time their swings. Imagine a fastball hitter like Juan Soto at the plate. He’s fouled off a few 95-mph heaters, and then—just as he adjusts—a splitter comes hurtling in at 85 mph, only to drop off the table at the last moment. The result? A swing and a miss, or at best, weak contact.
The physics of the splitter is as fascinating as its effect on hitters. The ball's spin rate decreases dramatically when thrown correctly, causing air resistance to act unevenly on its surface. This creates the late tumbling action that defines the pitch. The grip is key: the pitcher places their index and middle fingers on either side of the ball’s seams while the thumb rests underneath. The pitcher can achieve the desired drop without sacrificing too much velocity by spreading the fingers slightly more expansive than for a fastball and applying less pressure.
How Japan Teaches Baseball: A Culture of Precision and Discipline
The rise of Japanese pitchers like this Dodgers signee—and stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who also utilizes a split-finger fastball—is no accident. Japan’s baseball training programs are renowned for their emphasis on fundamentals, discipline, and attention to detail. From a young age, players in Japan are taught to master the mechanics of pitching and to develop a deep understanding of how to attack hitters.
Youth Training and Mechanics
Japanese baseball culture emphasizes quality over quantity. Young pitchers spend countless hours perfecting their mechanics before stepping onto the mound in a competitive game. Coaches prioritize balance, body control, and consistency, ensuring players develop clean, repeatable deliveries. This approach enhances performance and reduces the risk of injury, allowing players to sustain long careers.
Mastering the Splitter
The splitter holds a special place in Japanese baseball. While many American pitchers shy away from the pitch because they believe it strains the arm, Japanese pitchers embrace it as a cornerstone of their arsenals. Coaches in Japan meticulously teach the grip, release, and arm action required to throw the splitter effectively. They also emphasize the importance of deception, training pitchers to disguise the splitter’s release point so that it’s indistinguishable from a fastball.
Pitchers like the Dodgers' new signee and Yamamoto benefit from this rigorous training. By the time they reach professional levels, they possess the physical tools and the mental acumen to deploy the splitter in high-leverage situations. This combination of skill and strategy has made Japanese pitchers some of the most sought-after talents in MLB.
How to Throw the Split-Finger Fastball
For those curious about mastering the splitter, here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
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The Broader Impact of Japanese Baseball
The Dodgers' new pitcher is a testament to individual talent and the strength of Japan’s baseball system. Over the years, MLB has increasingly looked to Japan as a source of elite talent. Players like Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish, and this young phenom have demonstrated that Japanese baseball’s emphasis on fundamentals and innovation can produce world-class athletes.
The arrival of this 23-year-old sensation also raises questions about how MLB teams develop their own talent. While the United States lacks skilled players, the Japanese approach offers lessons in discipline, attention to detail, and adaptability.
Where Is Rob Manfred in All This? I wish he would retire.
As baseball evolves with the influx of international talent, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has faced criticism for handling the game’s traditions and innovations. From the introduction of the pitch clock to the potential implementation of automated strike zones, Manfred’s decisions have sparked debate among players, fans, and analysts.
The rise of Japanese players like the Dodgers’ new star highlights a different kind of innovation—one rooted in technique and tradition rather than technology. Perhaps Manfred and MLB could learn from Japan’s example, focusing on nurturing talent and preserving the artistry of the game rather than overhauling it with gadgets and gimmicks.
My Bottom Line-
The Dodgers' signing of this 23-year-old Japanese pitcher is a testament to baseball's global nature and the unique contributions of Japanese training methods. With his devastating split-finger fastball, he is poised to immediately impact MLB and redefine what hitters can expect from a young pitcher.
When I scouted, I never saw anyone who threw a split-finger fastball. One pitch that came close was the screwball, but even that didn’t have the same dramatic drop. Young pitchers should learn to throw this pitch—who knows, it may even make you famous in Japan.
Late Saturday, I congratulated Dan Evans, the former Dodgers GM, on Sasaki's signing with the team and told him they now have the best pitching staff in baseball. I even predicted another World Series win for the Dodgers in 2025. In response, Dan sent me an email saying, “I hired those that are in ?International and they ?worked hard to get Sasaki.” I replied, “Great, now I know who to blame when Sasaki beats the Mets.”
As fans eagerly anticipate his debut, one thing is clear: the art of pitching is alive and well, thanks in no small part to the lessons and legacies of Japanese baseball.
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Mastering the Splitter in the United States the one two punch every pitcher has is the Fast Ball, and Curve Ball, today the one two punch should be Split Finger, and Curve Ball.
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