Roki Sasaki’s initial foray into Major League Baseball has been met with significant challenges. Despite the considerable hype surrounding his signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January, the 23-year-old has struggled to find his footing.
His debut against the Chicago Cubs on March 19 saw him issue five walks in three innings, and his subsequent start against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium resulted in four walks in just 1.2 innings. Through his first two outings, Sasaki’s ERA stands at a concerning 5.79 over 4.2 innings.
Following his early exit against the Tigers, Sasaki was captured on camera in the Dodgers’ dugout, visibly struggling to contain his frustration. While he attempted to show support for teammate Jack Dreyer, his emotional state was evident.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Roki Sasaki Called Soft After Tough Outing
This display drew critical reactions from former MLB players Jonathan Lucroy and Josh Reddick. Lucroy, a two-time All-Star catcher, expressed his disapproval on Twitter/X, stating, “He’s soft. I’ve seen it before. Only thing that will help him is to fail. Massively. He will either peter out, or, transform into a hardened warrior. That will be his choice. Big time players make big time plays in big time situations.”
Lucroy later clarified his stance, acknowledging that Sasaki has the potential to “harden up and be even better.” He also suggested that Sasaki’s teammates should play a role in his adjustment.
“Hope a vet pulled him aside and told him to man up,” Lucroy wrote. “No one has time for a kid crying on national TV in the one of the biggest sports market in the world. You don’t like it? Then play better next time. He should be pissed and ready to go bury someone vs whatever this is.”
Josh Reddick, a former major league outfielder, echoed Lucroy’s sentiments, simply stating, “I’m glad someone said this.”
This perspective likely resonates with some current players and coaches. With 25 years of combined MLB experience, Lucroy and Reddick, who have played alongside current Dodgers, offer a seasoned perspective that might be shared privately with Sasaki.