- Yamamoto completed a massive twelve-year, $325 million deal with LA this offseason
- The Dodgers believe he can develop into a top prospect in a strong big league rotation
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out three batters in two scoreless innings in his spring training debut against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
Yamamoto gave a glimpse into why the Dodgers believe the Japanese right-hander can become an asset in a big league rotation.
The 25-year-old right-hander led off by striking out Rangers All-Star Marcus Semien on six pitches, then gave up Evan Carter’s single before Wyatt Langford grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Yamamoto started the second against the defending World Series champions by striking out Nathaniel Lowe on three pitches and eliminating Jonah Heim on a fly ball to left. Working with a long, deliberate windup and a fastball that hovered in the mid-90s, Yamamoto ended his performance by striking out Leody Taveras on four pitches.
He threw 16 of 19 pitches for strikes, demonstrating the impeccable command that made him a star in Japan.
LA Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out three batters in his spring training debut
Yamamoto, left, and DH Shohei Ohtani both signed huge contracts with LA this year
Lowe and Taveras had particularly weak swings on strike three, highlighting Yamamoto’s dominance.
Yamamoto was the lesser-known part of a $1 billion offseason investment by the Dodgers in a pair of Japanese stars.
Los Angeles signed Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million, 10-year contract in December, while Yamamoto completed his 12-year, $325 million deal a few weeks later.
Ohtani played six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Angels, winning two AL MVP awards and making three All-Star teams. Yamamoto makes his US debut this season, although his recent performances in Japan have been phenomenal.
At 6-foot-1, Yamamoto has been Japan’s most dominant pitcher in recent seasons, posting a 16-6 record and a 1.21 ERA for the Orix Buffaloes in 2023. He has a career 1.72 ERA in Japan in nearly 1,000 innings. . His six-pitch repertoire includes a reliable splitter, an effective four-seam fastball and a vicious curveball.
The Dodgers believe he has the talent to be a top prospect in the US and his presence will be crucial in 2024 as Ohtani – a rare two-time star – recovers from an elbow injury. Ohtani will hit in 2024 but isn’t expected to pitch until 2025.