Yoshinobu Yamamoto Gets High Praise From Dodgers Teammate Who Took Pitches From Him

Yamamoto looks like he's for real.

Reporters got their first look at one of the Dodgers' marquee signings over the offseason on Friday morning. 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a bullpen session in front of teammates and those covering the team. With Spring Training officially underway in Arizona, Yamamoto was a main attraction for those who had not seen him perform live. 

One of those individuals giving Yamamoto a closer look was teammate Gavin Lux. Lux is now fully back from a torn ACL suffered at the beginning of last season. 

As spring training opens, Andrew Friedman hopes Dodgers do more than ‘win the offseason’ https://t.co/xBlyGDb3VZ

— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) February 9, 2024

When watching Yamamoto up close on Friday, he offered these comments to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.  

"Really nasty. Everything is firm. The splitter plays like it’s 90-92. Fastball feels firmer than 94-95. The curveball, everything. It’s a four-pitch mix for a strike. And the little slide step he does makes everything play up. I think he’s gonna have a lot of success really fast."

Per Gavin Lux via The Los Angeles Times

Yoshinobu Yamamoto throwing his first bullpen with the Dodgers 🔥

(via @FabianArdaya)pic.twitter.com/oITUJNdOUt

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 9, 2024

It's not surprising to hear these comments, as Yamamoto was widely considered the best pitcher in the world outside of the Major League Baseball footprint over the last handful of seasons. With a full assortment of pitches to pull from, Yamamoto is known for his rising fastball and devastating splitter. 

Hearing this talk from a proven hitter in the big leagues has to feel good for Dodgers fans everywhere. Yamamoto was a high-profile signing, yet he still seems like an unknown, considering he's not yet performed in a Major League game. 

With that, you can be sure that those bleeding Dodger Blue will be elated when Yamamoto takes the mound in Seoul, South Korea, for the opening series versus the division rival San Diego Padres. The two-game series will take place March 20-21.