This Week in Japanese Baseball (Episode 4) 

I like that hes throttling down. Last thing Roki needs is for his arm to be blown out before making MLB teams.

I think theyre trying to keep that oblique safe. When I watch Roki's pitching, his torso rotates extremely fast so I assume most of his speed comes from that rather than the arm.

I think they want his arm clean from TJs prior to posting or only to pick up in the postseason. I'd rather see him drop velocity to ~95 mph until he gets to the point where throwing 100+ in ~30 or so starts won't cause discomfort over a season be it through a more well placed velocity choice or strength.

I've also been watching almost every Roki start and, to me, it does look like Roki is intentionally taking a new approach this year. However, he isn't very consistent with it and that should come with experience. If he can hone this in, he could potentially become like a prime Verlander who starts a game in the low-mid 90's and ramps it up to 97+ in the later innings. Roki is still super young and career longevity is still a concern so, in my opinion, this is a step in the right direction. We'll have a better picture further into the season and maybe he's still feeling a little tightness in that injured oblique. I remember his first start back last year, he looked VERY off and stiff

Me when yakyu cosmo posts💘💗💝💗💝💘💗💘❤️❤️❤️

He's just protecting his arm and adjusting to the change, that's a strange take, especially in this Tommy John era...

Boston Red Sox Needs To Sign Roki Sasaki

Future Boston Red Sox