Spring has almost sprung.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing his talents during his first live batting practice session on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Japanese sensation faced off against formidable hitters like Mookie Betts, Jason Heyward, Manuel Margot, Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman, and Austin Barnes. Their reactions were nothing short of impressed.
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Betts couldn’t help but give Yamamoto a standing ovation, while Freeman expressed his awe, particularly at Yamamoto’s 92mph cutter and wicked splitter. Freeman remarked on Yamamoto’s exceptional command, noting that every pitch seemed strategically placed.
Yamamoto himself modestly admitted that he hasn’t displayed his best yet, indicating room for improvement. Despite this, he consistently delivers mid-90s fastballs along with a diverse array of pitches including a curveball, slider, changeup, and splitter.
His ability to keep hitters guessing, coupled with his formidable velocity, suggests that he will pose a significant challenge for MLB lineups. The Dodgers’ hefty investment of $325 million in Yamamoto’s contract appears justified, with the potential for him to become a standout player.
As the No. 2 starter behind Tyler Glasnow, or possibly even the ace, Yamamoto’s bullpen performance signals his promising future. Facing a three-time Nippon Professional Baseball Pacific League MVP and Eiji Sawamura Award winner like Yamamoto is sure to be daunting for hitters, drawing considerable attention during spring training and beyond.
