Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Roki Sasaki is working on adding a third pitch this spring to improve his effectiveness as a starter. The Japanese phenom struggled through his rookie season, posting a 4.72 ERA in eight starts while walking 14.3% of hitters faced.

Sasaki's electric fastball-splitter combination proved devastating in relief during the postseason, where he posted a 0.84 ERA with three saves. However, his limited pitch repertoire made him predictable as a starter. Scouts noted his slider lacked quality, throwing it only 16.3% of the time with subpar movement.

General manager Brandon Gomes said Sasaki's expanded arsenal including cutters and sliders looks promising in early bullpen sessions. The 22-year-old phenom believes his struggles were self-inflicted rather than due to the major league level, vowing to pitch through an entire season. His development could be crucial for the Dodgers' rotation depth.