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Yoshinobu Yamamoto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The native form of this personal name is Yamamoto Yoshinobu. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yamamoto with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 18
Pitcher
Born: (1998-08-17) August 17, 1998 (age 27)
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 2025 season)
Win–loss record19–10
Earned run average2.66
Strikeouts306
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards
NPB
MLB
International
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 (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 has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes, where he became one of the most decorated pitchers in league history.

Between 2021 and 2023, Yamamoto won three consecutive Pacific League Most Valuable Player Awards, three Eiji Sawamura Awards, and three Triple Crowns, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average in each of those seasons. He also threw two no-hitters and was a key figure in Orix's 2022 Japan Series championship.

Following the 2023 season, Yamamoto was posted to MLB and signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers, the largest ever for a pitcher at the time. In his rookie MLB season, he contributed to Los Angeles’ 2024 World Series title, becoming the first player in baseball history to win a World Series, an Olympic gold medal, and a World Baseball Classic title. In 2025, Yamamoto was named to his first All-Star team. He then helped the Dodgers win a second consecutive World Series title while claiming the World Series MVP award in the process. Internationally, he has represented Japan in multiple tournaments, earning gold medals at the 2019 WBSC Premier12, the 2020 Summer Olympics, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Professional career

[edit]

Orix Buffaloes

[edit]
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. He pitched in eight games for the Buffaloes farm team in the Western League and made five starts for the main club, with a 2.35 ERA.[1]

In 2018, he pitched primarily in relief, appearing in 60 games, with a 2.10 ERA.[1] He also was selected to appear in the Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Series[2] and finished second in rookie of the year voting.[3] The following season, he returned to the starting rotation, with a 8–7 record, 1.99 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 21 games.[1] In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, he was 8–4 in 18 appearances with a 2.20 ERA.[1]

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.[4] Yamamoto won the Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award following the season.[5]

On June 18, 2022, Yamamoto threw the fourth no-hitter in NPB that year, in a 2–0 win over the Saitama Seibu Lions.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9][10] 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.[11] He was officially posted fifteen days later on November 20.[12]

Los Angeles Dodgers

[edit]

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.[13][14][15]

2024: World Series champion

[edit]

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.[16] The five runs allowed were the most ever by a Dodgers starter in their major league debut pitching an inning or less.[17] 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.[18]

On June 15, Yamamoto started against the Kansas City Royals, but left only two innings into the game with a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He was placed on the 15-day injured list the next day.[19] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list in July 13.[20] Yamamoto was activated off the injured list on September 10.[21] In 18 starts for the Dodgers in 2024, he was 7–2 with a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts.[22] He made his playoff debut on October 5, in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, giving up five runs to the Padres in three innings.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25] In Game 2 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, Yamamoto pitched 6+1⁄3 innings, allowing just one run, a solo home run by Juan Soto, on one hit.[26]

2025: Back-to-back titles, World Series MVP

[edit]

Yamamoto started for the Dodgers on opening day in 2025 against the Chicago Cubs in the MLB Tokyo Series.[27] In the game, he pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits (an RBI double by Miguel Amaya), and struck out four batters to pick up the win.[28] On April 18, in a win against the Texas Rangers, Yamamoto matched his career high of 10 strikeouts in 7 innings.[29] Yamamoto was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for April, after posting a 1.06 ERA through six starts and struck out 43 batters in 34 innings.[30]

Yamamoto was selected to the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his first all-star appearance in MLB.[31] On September 6, in a game against the Baltimore Orioles, Yamamoto was one out away from throwing a no-hitter when, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jackson Holliday hit a home run for the Orioles and he was removed from the game. He had 10 strikeouts in the game and made it past the seventh inning for the first time in his MLB career.[32] Yamamoto finished the regular season with a 12–8 record in a career high 30 starts, with a 2.49 ERA and struck out 201 batters, his highest total since 2022 in Japan.[22][33]

Yamamoto made his first post-season start of 2025 in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, allowing only two unearned runs in 6+2⁄3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds, while striking out nine.[22] His next start was in the third game of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. He struggled in that game, only striking out two while giving up three runs on six hits in four innings.[34] On October 14, in the 2nd game of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Yamamoto gave up a first pitch homer to Jackson Chourio before throwing a 111-pitch complete game, his first in the MLB. He was the first pitcher to throw his first complete game in the playoffs since Josh Beckett in 2003. He was also the first Dodgers pitcher to throw a complete game in the playoffs since José Lima in the 2004 NLDS and first since Justin Verlander in the 2017 ALCS for any team. He allowed only one run on three hits while striking out seven in the game.[35]

In Game 2 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Yamamoto again threw a complete game, striking out eight while allowing only one run on four hits. He became the first pitcher to throw multiple complete games in the same postseason since Madison Bumgarner in 2014, the first to do it in back-to-back games since Curt Schilling in 2001 and the first Dodger to do so since Orel Hershiser in 1988.[36] He started again in Game 6, pitching six innings, striking out six, and allowing one run on five hits for his second win of the series.[37] One day later, he came out of the bullpen to pitch 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings to close out the Dodgers' World Series victory in 11 innings. He was named the World Series MVP for his performance, which included three wins, a 1.02 ERA, and 15 strikeouts.[38][39] Yamamoto was the first pitcher to get three road wins in a World Series, the first to be credited with three wins in a World Series since Randy Johnson in 2001, and the fourth pitcher to win Games 6 and 7.[40][41]

International career

[edit]

Yamamoto has represented Japan in international tournaments, including the 2019 WBSC Premier12,[42][43] the 2020 Summer Olympics, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He pitched 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.[44] Yamamoto was named to the All-Olympic Baseball Team.[45]

Yamamoto pitched in two games, starting one, in the 2023 WBC. He allowed two runs in 7+1⁄3 innings.[46] Japan again won gold.[47]

Pitching style

[edit]
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.[48] With a three-quarters delivery,[49] he throws a fastball averaging 95 mph (153 km/h),[50] which tops out at 99 mph (159 km/h),[51] a deceptive splitter, a cutter, and a curveball.[49] Prior to playing in MLB, scouts said that his splitter would be a legitimate out-pitch.[49] He also has great command,[52] allowing 2.1 walks per 9 innings in his NPB career[1] and 2.2 walks per 9 innings in his first MLB season.[22]

Personal life

[edit]

Yamamoto was born in Bizen, Okayama, Japan. His given name, Yoshinobu, combines "Yoshi" from his mother's name and "Nobu" from his father's name.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "オリ山本、アルバースが球宴出場 「衝撃を与えられるように全力で」". full count. July 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  3. ^ "オリックスの"神童"山本由伸「二十歳の決意」". October 22, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  4. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Buffaloes Hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto Tosses No-Hitter Against Lions". JAPAN Forward. June 18, 2022. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Orix ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto wins second straight Sawamura Award". japantimes.co.jp. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Japan's Yamamoto treats MLB execs to no-hitter". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 10, 2023. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  9. ^ "Baseball: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Buffaloes send Japan Series to Game 7". Mainichi Daily News. November 4, 2023. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Murphy, Brian (November 5, 2023). "Yamamoto notches Japan Series-record 14 K's in 138-pitch CG". MLB.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "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). Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Polishuk, Mark (November 20, 2023). "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Officially Posted By Orix Buffaloes". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Blum, Ronald (January 2, 2024). "Yamamoto's contract with Dodgers includes 2 opt outs, but timing depends on elbow health". Associated Press News.
  14. ^ Chen, Sonja (December 27, 2023). "Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers agree to free-agent deal". MLB.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Padres vs Dodgers (March 21, 2024". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "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.
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  19. ^ Wexler, Sarah (June 16, 2024). "Yamamoto placed on IL with strained rotator cuff". mlb.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  20. ^ Deeds, Nick (July 13, 2024). "Dodgers Claim Brent Honeywell Jr. Off Waivers From Pirates". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  21. ^ Franco, Anthony (September 10, 2024). "Dodgers Activate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Designate Nick Ramirez". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d "Yoshinobu Yamamoto". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  23. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto 2024 Postseason Pitching Game Logs". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "MLB Gameday: Padres 0, Dodgers 2 Final Score (10/11/2024)". mlb.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  25. ^ Harris, Jack; DiGiovanna, Mike (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.
  26. ^ Cassavell, AJ (October 26, 2024). "Yamamoto nearly untouchable in stifling World Series debut". mlb.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  27. ^ Maguire, Brent (March 17, 2025). "Yamamoto, Imanaga primed for Tokyo Series showdown". mlb.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  28. ^ Chen, Sonja (March 18, 2025). "Ohtani ignites Dodgers, keys winning rally in Tokyo Series Opener". mlb.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  29. ^ Chen, Sonja (April 19, 2025). "Yamamoto outduels deGrom with 10-K scoreless gem". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  30. ^ Foster, Jason (May 2, 2025). "Judge, Alonso power their way to Player of the Month honors". MLB.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Padilla, Doug (July 6, 2025). "Yamamoto, Kershaw bring Dodgers' All-Star total to 5". mlb.com. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  32. ^ Anderson, Kari (September 6, 2025). "Yoshinobu Yamamoto no-hit bid broken up by Jackson Holliday homer in 9th inning, sparking Orioles rally and walk-off". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  33. ^ Haena, Brayden (September 25, 2025). "Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto becomes first LA pitcher since 2021 to hit 200 Ks". ClutchPoints. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  34. ^ Chen, Sonja (October 8, 2025). "Dodgers can't pull off NLDS sweep, shift focus to Game 4". mlb.com. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  35. ^ Doolittle, Bradford (October 15, 2025). "Yamamoto follows Snell with rare feat in L.A. win". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  36. ^ Chen, Sonja (October 25, 2025). "Distance, again! Yamamoto in rare company with 2nd straight CG". MLB.com. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  37. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (October 31, 2025). "Dodgers survive epic 9th inning to force Game 7". mlb.com. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  38. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (November 2, 2025). "Tireless Yamamoto named World Series MVP – on zero days' rest!". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  39. ^ Moret, Matt (November 2, 2025). "Yoshinobu Yamamoto wins World Series MVP with historic ironman performance". The Athletic. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 2, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  40. ^ Lindbergh, Ben. "MLB's Modern Dynasty Won the World Series of a Lifetime". The Ringer. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  41. ^ Kurkjian, Tim. "2025 World Series: Dodgers-Blue Jays was a series for the ages". ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  42. ^ "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. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  43. ^ "「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. Archived from the original on October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  44. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto: "I couldn't believe we won the Olympic gold medal"". World Baseball Softball Confederation. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  45. ^ "WBSC names MVP and Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team". WBSC. August 7, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  46. ^ "2023 WBC Player Pitching Stats". mlb.com. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  47. ^ "Japan wins 2023 WBC: Updates, highlights, takeaways and more". ESPN.com. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  48. ^ "Yoshinobu Yamamoto Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  49. ^ a b c "Baseball Prospectus | | Eyewitness Scouting Report". Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  50. ^ "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. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  51. ^ "【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. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  52. ^ Anderson, R.J. (February 17, 2023). "2023 World Baseball Classic: Four international prospects to watch, including NPB MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day
Starting pitcher
2025 		Most recent
Preceded by National League Pitcher of the Month
April 2025
September 2025 		Succeeded by
Robbie Ray
Most recent
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