Dodgers Star in Awe of New LA Starting Pitcher's Abilities
When Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the mound for his first live bullpen session at Camelback Ranch last week, his first challenger was Freddie Freeman.
Freeman is a seven-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, and was named National League MVP in 2020.
The rookie pitcher left Freeman awestruck.
“I went up to him and said, ‘Please say incredible in Japanese,’ Because that was incredible.”
Live bullpen sessions are a requirement during the early days of Spring Training but this one was unlike any other. Yamamoto took the mound in front of at least 1,000 fans and reporters logging every pitch.
The front office, pitching staff, and coaching staff stood behind the backstop.
He threw 28 pitches to Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Manuel Margot, and Jason Heyward.
“The command of the stuff, that’s all there. But to have all the eyes, all the hype, his first live BP, everyone’s watching. For him to go out there and do what he did today is very impressive.”
It was quite the debut for the 25-year-old who signed a 12-year, $325 million contract this offseason. It was the first time that many witnessed the starter who is locked up long-term.
Yamamoto throws a fastball, splitter, cutter, and a curveball. He only threw the curveball to right-handed batters.
He also has a unique delivery that involves a mix of pauses and head turns.
“It’s things you’re not used to facing. Then for him to put the ball where he wants and hit any quadrant. There’s just a lot of moving parts that a lot of guys are going to have trouble early on getting used to that.”
Yamamoto is expected to start one of the Dodgers games in South Korea next month to open the season.
