The Los Angeles Dodgers have a certified ace on their pitching staff with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In the Dodgers' division clinching 8-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Yamamoto pitched six strong innings to close out his stellar 2025 campaign.
Yamamoto struck out seven hitters, did not allow a run, and lowered his ERA to 2.49 on the season. He pitched 173.2 innings over 30 starts, and his sixth strikeout on Thursday marked his 200th on the season, putting a stamp on his second season as a Dodger.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is first Dodger since Walker Buehler to strike out 200 batters
Yoshinobu Yamamoto became the first Dodger pitcher since Walker Buehler in 2021 to record a 200-strikeout season. He is also just the seventh Japanese-born player to record 200 Ks in a season.
The Dodgers have had a lot of strikeout artists come through their organization over the past four years, but none as consistent as Yamamoto this season.
Before the 2024 season, the Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract before he had even thrown a single pitch in MLB. He made 18 starts last season, had a 3.00 ERA in 90 innings, and was a postseason hero, leading the Dodgers' playoff rotation to a World Series, when there were several injuries on the staff.
Yoshi's 2025 season is now in the books, and he will look to help Los Angeles repeat as World Series Champions, which hasn't been done in nearly 25 years.
Yamamoto features a smooth 95 mph fastball, a wicked curveball, and a devastating splitter to complete an arsenal that consistently keeps hitters off balance. There were questions from MLB insiders and those who cover the sport on why Yamamoto was signed to such a large deal before pitching in MLB, but it's safe to say those doubts are likely put to sleep.
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