Yoshinobu Yamamoto – Legendary Journey 2025: From Promising Future to Dodgers Icon
The 2025 season marked a great transformation for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese man who became the true heart of the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup – not just a star, but a symbol of strength, perseverance and championship aspirations.
From the beginning of the season, Yamamoto proved that he did not come to MLB just to be present. After a first year full of potential but also many challenges, the 27-year-old star returned with confidence and a clear goal: to become the Dodgers’ number one pitcher. According to his teammates, Yamamoto’s demeanor this year has been completely different: more stable, more thoughtful, and carrying the responsibility of a true “ace”.
In 2025, Yamamoto had an “unbelievable” start: in just his first five starts, he had over 35 strikeouts, a K/BB ratio of over 5.0, fewer than 20 hits to the body, and allowed under 5 runs — a feat no other modern pitcher has ever achieved.
Notably, the splitter (one of Yamamoto’s key pitches) became more powerful than ever. He threw it with a higher frequency, improved velocity and spin, created a lot of miss swings, and contributed to making it difficult for opponents to respond.
As the season gradually entered the final rounds, Yamamoto closed the number of 201 strikeouts — becoming the first Dodgers pitcher since Walker Buehler (2021) to do so.
With 30 starts, the total season ERA reached 2.49, an extremely impressive figure for a main pitcher.
Teammates praised Yamamoto’s ability to control the game and “read” opponents. He was not only a good starter, but also an “anchor” in the locker room – someone who was always ready to shoulder the most pressure.
If the regular season was a story about the ability to master the mound, the postseason was the chapter that affirmed Yamamoto’s greatness.
Game 2, World Series: Yamamoto threw 4-hit complete games (4-hit complete games) – the first appearance of a complete game in the World Series since 2015.
Game 6: He continued to show his mettle, throwing 6 excellent innings, keeping the opponent Blue Jays in control.
Game 7: The pinnacle moment. Yamamoto came in to pitch the last 2 2/3 innings, not allowing a run and ending the game with a “deadly” double-play, bringing the Dodgers to a 5-4 victory. World Series MVP with an ERA of just under 1.02 throughout the series, 15 “strikeouts,” and consistency in decisive moments.
Even Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not hesitate to call Yamamoto the “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) after his brilliant performance in the final game.
Yamamoto joined the Dodgers with a record contract: 12 years, worth $325 million. A number that many people were skeptical about — but after the 2025 season, it was considered an “ultimately wise” investment.
Besides his technical skills, Yamamoto is also admired for his attitude and training methods. He works with personal trainer Osamu Yada, who has followed him closely since his time in Japan, focusing on flexibility, muscle balance, and full-body movement, rather than using conventional muscle-building exercises. Not only is Yamamoto a top pitcher, he is also looking to the future with the ambition to surpass the legendary Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers legend. He said: “From the bottom of my heart, I want to become an ace like Kershaw, and one day surpass that great teacher.”
Yamamoto’s maturity has made Dodgers fans — and the MLB world — feel confident in a new era: not just a fierce offense or a strong bullpen, but a true “ace” who leads with character and ambition.
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