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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts may have revealed one of his bullpen cards.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that Roberts said Ben Casparius has a “good chance” to break camp with Los Angeles as a multi-inning reliever.
Los Angeles selected the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft and made his big league debut last summer.
Casparius was excellent — albeit in a limited role — during the regular season. He went 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA over three appearances and 8 1/3 innings, tallying 12 strikeouts.
Then, he became a fixture late in the postseason.
The 26-year-old mostly saw mop-up duty in the 2024 NLCS but remained sharp, throwing 4 1/3 innings without allowing a run. He then opened Game 4 of the World Series, but his command was erratic, locating only 23 of 43 pitches for strikes.
Aside from that poor outing in a potential sweep game, Casparius’ performances were encouraging.
He throws a mid-to-high-90s fastball and loves incorporating a sweeping slider and a drooping curveball. Casparius and Landon Knack are two arms to watch for this summer.
“Things moved fast for [Casparius and Knack] last spring,” Roberts told The Athletic. “There’s just a lot more confidence that comes with success. Their teammates know them a lot more. They trust them more. So there’s no panic when you don’t have a great outing. You go back to work. Both those guys are going to play key roles for us.”
With a revamped rotation, Casparius will likely come out of the bullpen more times than not, but he still possesses starting capabilities. That versatility, coupled with his experience in big moments, will be useful for Roberts.
Knack is probably a Triple-A starter to begin 2025.
From 99 miles per hour fastball to stunning strikeouts, Roki Sasaki shines in an explosive debut for Los Angeles Dodgers, crafting an unforgettable tale
Roki Sasaki’s Explosive Debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Roki Sasaki, the latest Japanese import for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made a stunning Spring Training debut that left fans in awe. His performance in the opening inning showcased his exceptional talent and potential for the team.
A Promising Start
Entering the game in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Sasaki immediately made an impact with his 99 miles per hour fastball. His first pitch induced a groundout by Noelvi Marte, setting the tone for what was to come. Despite facing some challenges in the following at-bats, Sasaki displayed resilience and skill on the mound.
Striking Out the Competition
After allowing a single and hitting a batter, Sasaki found his rhythm and proceeded to strike out TJ Friedl and Matt McLain with impressive pitches. Friedl was left looking at a splitter down in the zone, while McLain fell victim to a nasty splitter on the outside corner. The movement and precision of Sasaki’s pitches were a sight to behold, showcasing his exceptional talent and potential as a pitcher.
A Rising Star
Signed by the Dodgers in the offseason, Sasaki has quickly made a name for himself with his remarkable performance on the field. His signing bonus, while significant, was not the sole reason for his decision to join the team. With current Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto already making their mark in the league, Sasaki adds to the growing presence of Japanese talent in Major League Baseball.
Looking Ahead
As the Dodgers gear up for the regular season opener on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs in Japan, Sasaki’s debut performance has raised expectations for what’s to come. His skill, determination, and potential make him a player to watch as he continues to make his mark in the world of baseball.
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