Who is Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Meet the Japanese star entering MLB – NBC4 Washington

Shohei Ohtani is at the center of attention in this MLB offseason, but another remarkable talent deserves some recognition too.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a teammate of Ohtani’s in the Japan national baseball team, is poised to make his mark in the majors after a successful run in the Nippon Professional Baseball league (NPB).

This young pitcher just needs to be posted by MLB, giving all 30 franchises a 45-day opportunity to vie for his signing. While he doesn’t have to wait out the entire period to agree to terms with a team, competition is expected to be intense.

His situation is akin to last year’s when Masataka Yoshida entered the majors before joining the Boston Red Sox.

Now, let’s dive into who Yoshinobu Yamamoto is and why he is in high demand:

Where is Yoshinobu Yamamoto from?

Yamamoto hails from Bizen, Okayama, Japan. As of 2020, the city in the Okayama prefecture was estimated to have a population just north of 42,000.

How old is Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

Yamamoto is 25 years old, born on August 17, 1998.

Where does Yoshinobu Yamamoto play?

Yamamoto plays for NPB side Orix Buffaloes in Japan, making his debut with the team in 2017 and rising to stardom since then. He also represents the Japan national team and played a vital role in their victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic against Team USA.

What position does Yoshinobu Yamamoto play?

Yamamoto serves as a starting pitcher with a variety of pitches in his arsenal, including a fastball, curveball, splitter, and cutter. His fastball has an average speed of 95 mph.

What are Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s stats?

As of the 2023 NPB season, Yamamoto boasts a win-loss record of 70-29, a 1.82 ERA, and 922 strikeouts. His accolades include winning the Pacific League MVP in 2021 and 2022, earning five All-Star nods, and clinching the Japan Series in 2022, among other achievements.

Who will sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto in MLB?

As rumors swirl, nearly every team could benefit from someone of Yamamoto’s caliber, including the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, and more.

Giants’ president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, who recently scouted Yamamoto in Japan, stated to NBC Sports Bay Area that Yamamoto is “one of the top starting pitchers in the world.”

With Ohtani also making waves, the race for Yamamoto’s signing is one to keep an eye on.