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Yoshinobu Yamamoto

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yamamoto with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 18
Pitcher
Born: (1998-08-17) August 17, 1998 (age 26)
Bizen, Okayama, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
NPB: August 20, 2017, for the Orix Buffaloes
MLB: March 21, 2024, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record70–29
Earned run average1.82
Strikeouts922
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record7–2
Earned run average3.00
Strikeouts105
Teams
Career highlights and awards
NPB
MLB
Summer Olympics
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
Summer Olympics
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team
World Baseball Classic
Gold medal – first place 2023 Miami Team
WBSC Premier12
Gold medal – first place 2019 Tokyo Team
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Japanese name
Kanji山本 由伸
Transcriptions
RomanizationYamamoto Yoshinobu

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (山本 由伸, Yamamoto Yoshinobu, born August 17, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes. In NPB, Yamamoto was a three-time Pacific League Most Valuable Player, Eiji Sawamura Award, and a three-time Triple Crown winner. He was the second player in professional baseball to ever win the Triple Crown in three consecutive years, after Korean pitcher Sun Dong-yol.

Following the 2023 NPB season, Yamamoto signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers. In 2024, he won the World Series in his first season with the team.

Yamamoto plays internationally for Japan, winning gold at both the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He is the first ballplayer in history to have won an Olympic gold medal, the World Baseball Classic, and a World Series ring.[1]

Professional career

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Orix Buffaloes

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Yamamoto with the Orix Buffaloes in 2019

Yamamoto made his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut on August 20, 2017, three days after his 19th birthday, for the Orix Buffaloes of the Pacific League.

Yamamoto finished the 2021 season with an 18–5 record and 206 strikeouts across 193+2⁄3 innings pitched. His 1.39 earned run average (ERA) led the league for the season.[2] Yamamoto won the Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award following the season.[3]

On June 18, 2022, Yamamoto threw the fourth no-hitter in NPB that year, in a 2–0 win over the Saitama Seibu Lions.[4] In 26 starts for Orix in 2022, Yamamoto registered a 15–5 record and 1.68 ERA with 205 strikeouts in 193 innings pitched. Following the season, he was named the Eiji Sawamura Award winner for the second consecutive season.[5] He also won his second consecutive pitching Triple Crown.

On September 9, 2023, Yamamoto threw his second NPB career no-hitter, blanking the Chiba Lotte Marines. He became the first pitcher in NPB history to throw no-hitters in consecutive seasons.[6]

Yamamoto pitched in Game 1 of the 2023 Japan Series when he surrendered seven runs in an 8–0 loss. He followed that up with a Game 6 performance in which he threw 138 pitches for a Japan Series-record 14 strikeouts as the Buffaloes tied the series at three games apiece with a 5–1 win.[7][8] On November 5, the same day as the Buffaloes' Game 7 and series-deciding defeat at the hands of the Hanshin Tigers, the Buffaloes announced that Yamamoto would be posted to MLB.[9] He was officially posted fifteen days later on November 20.[10]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract on December 27, 2023. The Dodgers also had to pay a $50.625 million posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes.[11][12][13]

Yamamoto made his major league debut on March 21, 2024 against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea as part of the MLB World Tour. He allowed five runs on four hits and a walk in only one inning of work with two strikeouts, the first of which was Jurickson Profar.[14] The five runs allowed were the most ever by a Dodgers starter in their major league debut pitching an inning or less.[15] On April 6, against the Chicago Cubs, Yamamoto picked up his first MLB win. He struck out eight while allowing just three hits in five scoreless innings, retiring the last ten batters he faced.[16]

Yamamoto left his June 15 start after only two innings and was placed on the injured list the next day with a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder[17] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list in July 13.[18] Yamamoto was activated off the injured list on September 10.[19] In 18 starts for the Dodgers in 2024, he was 7–2 with a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts.[20] He made his playoff debut on October 8, in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, giving up five runs to the Padres in three innings.[21] In his second start of the series, on October 12, he picked up his first postseason win, striking out two and allowed just two hits in five scoreless innings, retiring the last seven batters he faced, as the Dodgers won the series.[22] He then made one start, in Game 4, in the National League Championship Series, allowing two runs on four hits in 4+1⁄3 innings, while striking out eight batters.[23] In Game 2 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, Yamamoto pitched 6+1⁄3 innings, allowing just one run on one hit (a solo home run by Juan Soto).[24]

International career

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Yamamoto has represented Japan in international tournaments, including the 2019 WBSC Premier12,[25][26] the 2020 Summer Olympics, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He pitch five times out of the bullpen in the 2019 Premier12, which Japan won. In the Olympics, Yamamoto pitched in two games, allowing two runs and striking out 18 batters in 11+2⁄3 innings as Japan won gold in Tokyo.[27] Yamamoto was named to the All-Olympic Baseball Team.[28]

Yamamoto pitched in two games, starting one, in the 2023 WBC. He allowed two runs in 7+1⁄3 innings.[29] Japan again won gold.[30]

Pitching style

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Yamamoto delivers a pitch for the Orix Buffaloes in 2022

Yamamoto is a 5-foot-10-inch (1.78 m), 176-pound (80 kg) right-handed pitcher.[31] With a three-quarters delivery,[32] he throws a fastball averaging 95 mph (153 km/h),[33] which tops out at 99 mph (159 km/h),[34] a deceptive splitter, a cutter, and a curveball.[32] Prior to playing in MLB, scouts said that his splitter would be a legitimate out-pitch.[32] He also has great command,[35] allowing 2.1 walks per 9 innings in his NPB career[36] and 2.2 walks per 9 innings in his first MLB season.[20]

Personal life

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Yamamoto was born in Bizen, Okayama, Japan. He was given the first name Yoshinobu, combining Yoshi from his mother's name and Nobu from his father's name.

References

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  1. ^ "Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto the most decorated active baseball player?". World Baseball Softball Confederation.
  2. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History".
  3. ^ Coskrey, Jason (December 15, 2021). "Rising stars Munetaka Murakami and Yoshinobu Yamamoto named MVPs of 2021 NPB season". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "Buffaloes Hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto Tosses No-Hitter Against Lions". JAPAN Forward. June 18, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Orix ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto wins second straight Sawamura Award". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "Japan's Yamamoto treats MLB execs to no-hitter". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Baseball: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Buffaloes send Japan Series to Game 7". Mainichi Daily News. November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Murphy, Brian (November 5, 2023). "Yamamoto notches Japan Series-record 14 K's in 138-pitch CG". MLB.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  9. ^ "山本由伸投手の「ポスティング」について". オリックス・バファローズ (in Japanese). Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Polishuk, Mark (November 20, 2023). "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Officially Posted By Orix Buffaloes". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "Yamamoto's contract with Dodgers includes 2 opt outs, but timing depends on elbow health". Associated Press News. January 2, 2024.
  12. ^ Chen, Sonja (December 27, 2023). "Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers agree to free-agent deal". MLB.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Lloyd, Jonathan (December 27, 2023). "Dodgers make it official, announce 12-year contract with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto". NBC Los Angeles. Associated Press. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  14. ^ "Padres vs Dodgers (March 21, 2024". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  15. ^ "For single games, Playing for LAD, in the regular season, in career No. 1 or less, requiring Innings Pitched <= 1, sorted by descending Runs Allowed". Stathead Baseball. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  16. ^ "MLB Gameday: Dodgers 4, Cubs 1 Final Score (04/06/2024)". MLB.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Wexler, Sarah (June 16, 2024). "Yamamoto placed on IL with strained rotator cuff". mlb.com. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  18. ^ Deeds, Nick (July 13, 2024). "Dodgers Claim Brent Honeywell Jr. Off Waivers From Pirates". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  19. ^ Franco, Anthony (September 10, 2024). "Dodgers Activate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Designate Nick Ramirez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Yoshinobu Yamamoto". Baseball Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  21. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto 2024 Postseason Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "MLB Gameday: Padres 0, Dodgers 2 Final Score (10/11/2024)". mlb.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  23. ^ Harris, Jack and Mike DiGiovanna (October 17, 2024). "Dodgers dominate Mets in Game 4 of NLCS, moving to the cusp of World Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  24. ^ Cassavell, AJ (October 26, 2024). "Yamamoto nearly untouchable in stifling World Series debut". mlb.com. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  25. ^ "ENEOS 侍ジャパンシリーズ2019「日本 vs メキシコ」に出場するメンバー28名が決定". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  26. ^ "「ENEOS 侍ジャパンシリーズ2019」出場選手決定について". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  27. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto: "I couldn't believe we won the Olympic gold medal"". World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  28. ^ "WBSC names MVP and Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team". WBSC. August 7, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  29. ^ "2023 WBC Player Pitching Stats". mlb.com. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  30. ^ "Japan wins 2023 WBC: Updates, highlights, takeaways and more". ESPN.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Baseball Prospectus | | Eyewitness Scouting Report".
  33. ^ "阪神が山本由伸を"恐れない"ワケ 初戦Ko裏付ける「.265」…12球団最強の驚愕数値". November 4, 2023.
  34. ^ "【オリックス】山本由伸、自己最速１５９キロ！球団日本人最速も更新 ８回１１Ｋ両リーグ最多タイ９勝". July 9, 2022.
  35. ^ "2023 World Baseball Classic: Four international prospects to watch, including NPB MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto". March 3, 2023.
  36. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
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