Roki Sasaki Criticized as “Soft” by Jonathan Lucroy: A Fair Take or Unwarranted Criticism?
Los Angeles Dodgers’ highly touted Japanese pitcher, Roki Sasaki, has found himself at the center of a heated debate following comments by former MLB All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Lucroy, a 12-year Major League veteran, took to Twitter to call Sasaki “soft,” suggesting that the young right-hander needs to experience failure in order to toughen up and reach his full potential. The remarks have sparked a divide among fans and analysts, with some agreeing with Lucroy’s assessment while others have come to Sasaki’s defense.
Sasaki, 23, made his much-anticipated MLB debut on March 19, 2025, in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs. With high expectations surrounding him, his performance was a mix of electrifying moments and evident growing pains. Sasaki pitched three innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out three batters. However, he also issued five walks, one of which resulted in a run. His fastball reached triple digits on multiple occasions, showcasing the raw talent that made him such a sought-after international signing. Still, his command issues raised questions about how well he would adapt to Major League Baseball’s level of play.
Lucroy’s criticism of Sasaki appears to stem from the notion that he has not faced
Lucroy’s criticism of Sasaki appears to stem from the notion that he has not faced enough adversity in his career. In Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Sasaki was a dominant force, posting a 1.89 ERA with 135 strikeouts in just 91 innings in 2024 before making the jump to the Dodgers. While his talent is undeniable, some, like Lucroy, believe that Sasaki needs to struggle more in order to develop the mental fortitude required to excel at the highest level of
competition.
The backlash to Lucroy’s comments has been swift, with many fans and analysts arguing that calling Sasaki “soft” is unfair and premature. Adjusting to a new league, country, and culture is an immense challenge for any international player. Some believe that expecting immediate perfection from Sasaki is unrealistic and that his development will require patience. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Sasaki’s debut was filled with understandable nerves and adrenaline. He pointed out that it takes time for young pitchers to refine their command and adapt to the pressure of MLB
Others, however, agree with Lucroy, arguing that adversity is a necessary part of an athlete’s growth. They believe that Sasaki’s early struggles are an opportunity for him to build the resilience required to succeed in MLB. Some point to past international stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, who also had their share of adjustments before establishing themselves as elite players.
As Sasaki continues his MLB journey, his ability to handle criticism and adversity will be closely watched. Whether Lucroy’s remarks serve as motivation or
unnecessary pressure remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Sasaki’s talent and potential make him a player to keep an eye on as he develops in the big leagues.