Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a famous Japanese pitcher playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In MLB 2025, he is showing great skill and strong pitching. Many fans love watching him play.
He throws the ball very fast and makes it hard for batters to hit. People all over the world are checking Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats to see how good he is. He started his career in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes and moved to the Dodgers in 2024.
Now, he is a star in the Dodgers rotation. If you want to learn about his pitching, this article has all the Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats you need. Let’s explore his journey and see why Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats are so exciting in 2025!
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Yoshinobu Yamamoto |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1998 |
| Place of Birth | Bizen, Okayama, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 175 lbs (79 kg) |
| Position | Pitcher |
| Throws / Bats | Right / Right |
| Current Team | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Jersey Number | #18 |
| MLB Debut | March 2024 with the Dodgers |
| Former Team (Japan) | Orix Buffaloes (2017–2023) |
| Contract with Dodgers | 12 years, $325 million (signed in 2024) |
| Opt-Out Clause | After 6 seasons (eligible in 2029) |
| Famous For | Splitter pitch, fastball, curveball |
| Awards in Japan | 3× Sawamura Award, 2× Pacific League MVP |
| Nickname | “Yama” (used by teammates and fans) |
2025 Regular Season Performance
So far in the MLB regular season 2025, Yamamoto 2025 season numbers show why he’s among the MLB breakout star 2025 candidates. Through August, Yamamoto holds an ERA 2.63, WHIP 1.05, and a sharp K/BB ratio of 6.2.
His innings pitched total stands at 142.1 with 172 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9 of 10.9). Batters are hitting just .202 against him, that’s an elite opponent batting average for a second-year rookie MLB pitcher 2024.
He leads the Dodgers rotation depth, forming a dominant trio with Freddie Freeman supporting the offense and Shohei Ohtani making headlines on both sides of the plate.
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Complete Outing vs Reds
In one of his most dominant starts, Yamamoto vs Reds on July 29, the Dodgers vs Reds July 29 game showcased his peak. He threw 8 shutout innings, allowed only 3 hits, walked none, and struck out 11.
According to MLB scores and game log analysis, he generated 22 swinging strikes, heavily relying on his splitter pitch and fastball velocity. The Statcast pitching data showed a spin rate above 2600 rpm on his curveball, indicating excellent pitch tunneling and deception. Analysts on Yahoo Sports and MLB called it a turning point in his season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Stats
| Year | League | Team | Games | W-L Record | ERA | WHIP | IP | SO | K/BB |
| 2021 | NPB | Orix Buffaloes | 26 | 18-5 | 1.39 | 0.85 | 193.2 | 206 | 6.1 |
| 2022 | NPB | Orix Buffaloes | 26 | 15-6 | 1.68 | 0.91 | 193 | 205 | 5.8 |
| 2023 | NPB | Orix Buffaloes | 23 | 17-6 | 1.21 | 0.86 | 171 | 169 | 7.0 |
| 2024 | MLB | Los Angeles Dodgers | 28 | 12-8 | 3.02 | 1.11 | 171.1 | 189 | 5.9 |
| 2025 | MLB | Los Angeles Dodgers | 21 | 9-7 | 2.63 | 1.05 | 142.1 | 172 | 6.2 |
Pitching Profile & Analytics
What makes Yamamoto’s pitching style so unique is his ability to mix pitches with elite control and command. His pitch type usage in 2025 is: 4-seam fastball (34%), splitter pitch (29%), curveball (19%), cutter (10%), and slider (8%).
His fastball velocity averages 96.3 mph, and his velocity trends have stayed consistent throughout the season, despite the heat of the MLB August 2025 results. According to FanGraphs, his pitch value metrics for his splitter lead all qualified MLB Japanese import pitchers.
His barrel percentage allowed sits at only 4.3%, meaning hitters are struggling to square him up. His exit velocity allowed is just 87.1 mph, placing him among the best in the Dodgers pitcher WAR rankings. These are elite numbers for even a seasoned MLB arm.
Batting & Fielding Overview
Though he’s a pitcher, Yamamoto Dodgers stats wouldn’t be complete without a mention of his minimal hitting and fielding activity. In interleague games, he’s gone hitless in 6 at-bats. His standard & advanced batting metrics are essentially negligible, no homers, no walks, and an expected batting average (xBA) of .050.
Defensively, Yamamoto fielding has been clean. His standard & advanced fielding shows a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 4 assists and no errors. He has made a few critical defensive plays on soft grounders, showing good footwork and athleticism for a pitcher.
Statcast & Dashboard Metrics
Here’s a look at Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats for MLB pitching according to Statcast pitching data:
| Metric | Value |
| Avg Fastball Velo | 96.3 mph |
| Splitter Whiff % | 41% |
| Curveball Spin Rate | 2645 rpm |
| Chase Rate | 33% |
| Groundball % | 52% |
| Barrel % | 4.3% |
| xERA | 2.51 |
| Hard-Hit % | 29% |
This data shows elite pitching analytics MLB fans love to explore, and Yamamoto has quickly become a favorite in the fantasy baseball updates world.
Career Splits
Yamamoto’s career splits show an advantage against right-handed hitters, who bat just .189 against him compared to .221 by lefties. He performs better at Dodgers games in Los Angeles, with a home ERA of 2.43 versus 2.84 on the road. Interestingly, his numbers in day games are sharper than night outings, but his consistency remains among the most reliable in MLB.
Appearances & Game Logs
Here’s a snapshot of his Yamamoto game log from the last 5 starts:
| Date | Opponent | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | Result |
| Jul 29 | Reds | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | W |
| Jul 23 | Giants | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | ND |
| Jul 17 | Phillies | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 5 | L |
| Jul 10 | Yankees | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | W |
| Jul 3 | Giants | 6.1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 | W |
Awards & Achievements
Before joining MLB, Yamamoto won the NPB Sawamura Award three times and led Orix Buffaloes to a Japan Series title. In MLB, he was named Rookie Pitcher of the Month twice in 2024. With his 2025 performance, he is in the conversation for MLB WAR leaders and possibly an All-Star Game appearance in 2026.
Hall of Fame Trajectory
If Yamamoto continues this pace, his Hall of Fame trajectory looks promising. According to ZiPS projection Yamamoto, he’s on pace for a career WAR above 60, which puts him in elite territory. If he combines 8–10 strong seasons in MLB with his NPB dominance, voters might one day look favorably upon this unique international career path.
Transactions & Salaries
The Yamamoto contract 2024 was a landmark deal. Signed for $325M over 12 years, it includes an opt-out clause Dodgers after year 6. His average annual value is $27M, making him one of the highest-paid Dodgers starting pitcher signings ever. So far, he’s more than lived up to it.
Comparison Section
Compared to Paul Skenes, Yamamoto has better control and command, though Skenes has a slight edge in raw velocity. Against MLB Japanese players 2025, he ranks second only to Shohei Ohtani in total WAR. His splitter has generated more swings and misses than any other off-speed pitch thrown by MLB top rookie pitchers.
Social Media & Fanbase
On social platforms, Yoshinobu Yamamoto Dodgers fans post highlights across TikTok, Reddit, and X (Twitter). His start against the Giants depth chart rivals went viral after he struck out the side with 3 different pitches. His fanbase is growing globally, making him one of the most popular Japanese pitcher MLB imports since Yu Darvish.
FAQs For Yoshinobu Yamamoto Stats
- Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto married?
As of 2025, there is no public information that he is married. He keeps his personal life very private. - What was Yamamoto’s fastest pitch ever?
His fastest pitch in the MLB reached around 98.4 mph. He regularly throws in the mid-90s. - Who is Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s favorite baseball player?
He has said he looks up to Yu Darvish, another great Japanese pitcher in MLB. Darvish also moved from NPB to MLB successfully. - How did the Dodgers sign Yamamoto before other teams?
The Dodgers offered a very strong contract and showed great interest early. Their team also has many Japanese connections, like Shohei Ohtani. - What kind of training does Yamamoto do?
He trains with a focus on balance, flexibility, and arm strength. He also follows a strict workout and recovery plan. - Does Yoshinobu Yamamoto have any sponsors?
Yes, he has deals with Japanese brands and some sportswear companies. These include glove and cleat sponsors from Japan.
Conclusion
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is definitely one of the top starting pitchers for the Dodgers in MLB 2025. Seriously, this guy puts in the effort and always seems to bring his A-game to the mound.
Fans absolutely love seeing him strike out batters; it’s like watching a master at work, and it really helps the Los Angeles Dodgers rack up those wins. His journey from the Orix Buffaloes in Japan to becoming a key player in the Dodgers’ rotation? Wow, it’s pretty incredible.
If you take a moment to check out the Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats, you’ll really get a sense of just how talented he is. He’s quick, smart, and you can tell he has a genuine passion for baseball. A lot of folks are convinced he’s on the path to stardom, and for good reason!
This article really highlights why Yoshinobu Yamamotostats matter and what sets him apart from others. So, keep an eye on those Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats; you won’t want to miss his thrilling baseball journey!
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