Dodgers Will Smith Gives High Praise of Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The Los Angeles Dodgers found their future ace for years to come in pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is in the second year of a 12-year, $325 million contract.
Just last week, Yamamoto was awarded his first-ever Pitcher of the Month award after an incredible month of April, where he led all qualified starters with an ERA of 1.06 (since been lowered to 0.90), and struck out 43 batters in 34 innings.
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Yamamoto is the first Dodgers pitcher to win the illustrious "POTM" award since Clayton Kershaw did it in April 2023.
All-Star catcher Will Smith had some very high praise for Yamamoto when asked about him via Dodgers reporter Jack Harris:
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“Just executing all of his pitches. Just making it really hard on the hitters,” Smith said. “Right now, he’s pitching like the best pitcher in the world. We’re just fortunate to have him.”
"Best pitcher in the world" is a strong sentiment to announce this early in the season, but Yamamoto sure has set himself up to be dominant for not only this season but years to come.
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After another incredible start over the weekend against the Atlanta Braves, when he threw six scoreless innings, he has now given up just four earned runs in 40 innings while walking only 13 batters.
Los Angeles is dealing with a multitude of injuries in the rotation at the moment, including Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Still, despite that, the 26-year-old power right-hander has picked up all the slack, and looks like a strong frontrunner for National League CY Young.
