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Roki Sasaki's ridiculous crowd for first live BP validates Dodgers' extensive chase

If you build it, they will come.
Emma Lingan
Emma Lingan

Dodgers Way

Feb 12, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) takes the field during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Live batting practice sessions are generally a non-event during MLB spring training – unless, of course, the pitcher throwing said live BP is Roki Sasaki.

The 23-year-old Japanese phenom threw to hitters Wednesday for the first time in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, and he did it in front of a sizable crowd of spectators. Hundreds of fans, as well as several of Sasaki's Dodgers teammates, coaches and front office members, flooded into the backfields at Camelback Ranch to see the the young pitcher the organization had moved heaven and earth to sign last month in international free agency; and he didn't disappoint.

Sasaki threw 27 itches across two simulated innings, relying mostly on a combination of fastballs and splitters; but he also mixed in some sliders. He faced four batters – Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas, Eddie Rosario and David Bote — and gave up a pair of line drive singles to Edman and Bote. But he otherwise managed to keep the ball on the ground and generate some whiffs with his splitter.

Roki Sasaki's ridiculous crowd for first live BP validates Dodgers' extensive chase

Even Sasaki's teammates were in awe of the staggering number of people who came out to watch his live BP session Wednesday.

“I've also never seen this many people here to see me talk about a live BP,” Edman said afterward (via Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo! Sports). “It was definitely a fun environment. Everybody's excited to watch it. I'm excited to play behind him in some games this year.”

Indeed, the large crowd was a testament to Sasaki's star quality. Yes, he was the most coveted free agent on the international market this offseason due to his pitching prowess; but all of the hype surrounding him leading up to the international signing period only increased his name recognition and celebrity among baseball fans.

In their extensive chase to land Sasaki in international free agency, the Dodgers weren't merely seeking to beef up their already-strong starting rotation; if the turnout for Wednesday's live BP session is any indication, they were making a sound business decision as well.

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Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan is an MLB Staff Writer for FanSided primarily covering the Pittsburgh Pirates. She has been covering baseball for more than a decade dating back to her time as a student at Wake Forest University, and she has won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. National Team delegation (2016 Pan-American Championships & 2017 World Baseball Classic). A native of Washington, D.C. and current resident of Nashville, Tenn., she is also entering her seventh season as a credentialed NHL media member and currently covers the NHL’s Nashville Predators for The Hockey News. When she's not watching hockey, baseball or football, she enjoys podcasting, reading, going to the gym, consuming large amounts of coffee and taking long walks with her dog, Minkah. You can follow her @Emma_lingan on Twitter and Instagram.