New Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been the talk of Spring Training, along with Shohei Ohtani of course. Fans and media members alike are looking to see the first glimpses of the new ace of the team after he signed his 12-year, $325 million contract over the offseason.
Yamamoto projects to be at the front of the Los Angeles starting rotation for years to come, and the front office is high on his upside. He is seen as the best pitcher to come over from Japan, and the hype around him has been incredible to see.
He took part in facing some of the Dodgers’ best hitters today in a live batting practice. The rookie right-hander was scheduled to face off against Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot.
You can see him facing off against Freeman in these videos.
Freeman had some high praise for Yamamoto after facing him, saying he was nasty on the mound.
“That was incredible. Nasty. … To go out there, first time, all eyes on you and just dot every pitch? Very impressive “
Betts also praised his new teammate, giving him a standing ovation after facing off against him.
To have some of the better hitters on the Dodgers roster speak this highly of Yamamoto after facing him for the first time is special. Yamamoto has been one of the more talked about players this winter, and it seems that, at least so far, all of the excitement surrounding him is warranted.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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