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If you are unfamiliar with the name Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it would be wise to acquaint yourself with it.
The 25-year-old Japanese pitcher is arguably the top player in the world who is not currently in Major League Baseball. However, this will soon change.
Yamamoto, a two-time Most Valuable Player in the Pacific League and a three-time winner of the Japanese Triple Crown, delivered a remarkable 138-pitch performance to lead the Orix Buffaloes to victory in Game 6 of the 2023 Japan Series against Hasnshin.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto recently completed an entire game with 138 pitches in his final outing before becoming a free agent in MLB.
He achieved 14 strikeouts, surpassing Yu Darvish’s Japan Series record.
The right-handed pitcher struck out 14 batters in a complete game, which also marked his farewell appearance in Japan.
The Buffaloes are expected to make Yamamoto available as a free agent after the season, and numerous MLB teams are anticipated to compete for his services.
But what sets him apart and makes him so sought after? Allow Kyle Glaser from Baseball America to explain.
“Yamamoto possesses an explosive arsenal. His lively fastball consistently reaches speeds of 94-95 mph and can touch 99 mph. His tightly spinning curveball, clocking in at 76-78 mph, showcases late tilt and depth, making it a plus pitch that confuses both left-handed and right-handed hitters. His cutter, ranging from 91-94 mph, is an above-average to excellent offering that avoids solid contact. Arguably his most effective secondary pitch is his splitter, which sits at 88-91 mph and exhibits significant depth. He can consistently throw it for strikes or induce chase swings.”
Japan’s NPB is widely regarded as the second-best baseball league globally, and Yamamoto has undeniably dominated it in recent years.
Therefore, it is safe to say that he is the real deal.
He could be a player who commands a substantial salary,” stated an NL special assistant with extensive experience scouting the Pacific Rim to Baseball America. “With no injury concerns, remarkable durability, a solid delivery, and a quick arm, the sky’s the limit for this individual.”
Welcome to the Yoshinobu Yamamoto Era. We suggest you become accustomed to it.
According to the Source brobible.com