‘Creative ... dominates:’ Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto uniquely baffles batters, seeks NL Cy Young honor
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‘Creative ... dominates:’ Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto uniquely baffles batters, seeks NL Cy Young honor originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Will Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto continue to improve?
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An opposing MLB official believes the 2025 World Series MVP can and will put in extra work to consistently refine his craft.
A legend in Japan before turning 25 years old, Yamamoto earned three Pacific League MVP honors and pitched no-hitters in back-to-back seasons. Internationally, he earned an Olympic Gold Medal and a World Baseball Classic title.
Available to come to America, Yamamoto embraced the lavish recruitment of several MLB executives, eventually signing a 12-year, $325 million contract, the largest ever for a pitcher.
Yamamoto competes with both style and substance. Power and finesse.
Will he develop into an NL Cy Young winner?
L.A. Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches versatility
An MLB executive explained to The Athletic why Yamamoto will continue to distance his skills from his peers. His fastball and splitter remain an elite combination, often leaving batters baffled.
“What separates Yamamoto from his peers is less his stuff than his approach,” the official said. “He shifts shape as the game progresses, so hitters have the experience of facing three or four different versions of the same man.
“Creative ... dominates in a way different than others.”
Adding to his list of under-30 achievements, Yamamoto helped the Dodgers claim consecutive Fall Classic titles during his first two seasons in the Western hemisphere.
His World Series performance, earning three wins and pitching in high-leverage situations during Games 6 and 7, will remain in Fall Classic lore. In 17.1 innings, Yamamoto posted 15 strikeouts and a 1.02 earned-run average.
With the Dodgers poised to open the regular season against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, Yamamoto drew the showcase start.
During his second season with the Dodgers, Yamamoto went 12-8, but yielded just 113 hits in 173.2 innings.
Dodgers teammate Shohei Ohtani said: “He’s the No. 1 pitcher in the whole world.”
That may be true and he’s been well-decorated for his international efforts.
Is the NL Cy Young honor next?