May 16, 2007
Saito and Sayonara
Takashi Saito continues to impress as the Dodgers closer. He earned his twelfth save of the season last night, striking out two in a perfect inning of work. He's yet to blow a save this season, and in his major league career converted 36 of 38, 95%. I like Saito's ability to blow batters away. He's pitched 18 innings this season, striking out 22 while issuing just two walks. He has allowed two home runs, but not in save situations. He's certainly looking like Gagne at the apex of his career.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:54 AM
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Can anyone tell me what pitches this guy throws, and what's his max velocity? I've heard a lot about him, even have him in my fantasy team, but living on the east coast, I've never seen him play.
Saito's out pitch is a sweeping slider he can pinpoint. He throws it at righthanders knees and it catches the back half of the plate. Then he throws it at the plate and it dives low and away, or, to a lefty, down and in. Fastball sets it up, but he throws majority sliders--really fun to watch. I haven't seen his fastball over 92 and it's often i the 80s.
He's got a great fastball and a great slider, and that's pretty much all he throws. He's got a slow hook and maybe a changeup but he throws 90% fastballs/sliders.
His velocity is very good - 93-94 mph.
Awesome, thanks for answering my question, guys!
