Dodgers' Yamamoto Dominates Batters, Seeks NL Cy Young

The 2025 World Series MVP continues to baffle hitters with his versatile pitching approach.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:36am

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a former star in Japan's Pacific League, has continued to impress in his first two MLB seasons. The 25-year-old helped the Dodgers win consecutive World Series titles and is now seeking the National League Cy Young award. An MLB executive praised Yamamoto's ability to "shift shape" and keep hitters off-balance with his elite fastball and splitter combination.

Why it matters

Yamamoto's success in the majors after dominating in Japan's professional league demonstrates his world-class talent. As the Dodgers' ace, he has the potential to become one of the best pitchers in MLB and cement his legacy as an international superstar.

The details

Yamamoto, a three-time Pacific League MVP, signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers, the largest ever for a pitcher. In his first two MLB seasons, he has gone 12-8 with 173.2 innings pitched and just 113 hits allowed. Yamamoto's World Series performance was also impressive, as he earned three wins and posted a 1.02 ERA in 17.1 innings.

  • Yamamoto helped the Dodgers win consecutive World Series titles in his first two seasons with the team.
  • The Dodgers will open the 2026 regular season against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, with Yamamoto drawing the showcase start.

The players

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A 25-year-old pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who previously dominated in Japan's Pacific League, winning three MVP awards and pitching no-hitters in back-to-back seasons. He signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers, the largest ever for a pitcher.

Shohei Ohtani

A Dodgers teammate of Yamamoto who called him "the No. 1 pitcher in the whole world."

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What they’re saying

“What separates Yamamoto from his peers is less his stuff than his approach. He shifts shape as the game progresses, so hitters have the experience of facing three or four different versions of the same man.”

— Anonymous MLB Executive

“He's the No. 1 pitcher in the whole world.”

— Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers Teammate

What’s next

Yamamoto will make the showcase start for the Dodgers in their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

The takeaway

Yamamoto's success in the majors after dominating in Japan's professional league demonstrates his world-class talent. As the Dodgers' ace, he has the potential to become one of the best pitchers in MLB and cement his legacy as an international superstar.