As Yoshinobu Yamamoto Nears $200 Million Payday, Here’s a Look at the Japanese Pitchers Who Paved the Way

Multiple Japanese players walked so that Yoshinobu Yamamoto could run. Yamamoto is widely considered one of the greatest Japanese pitchers of all time in NPB. MLB will likely only solidify that position once he officially chooses a team, likely with a record-breaking $200 million contract. But how did Yamamoto get here? It has been in large part due to other famous names from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Japanese players have long had a huge impact on the major league, gradually becoming a mainstay in MLB. Stars like Shohei Ohtani and Ichiro Suzuki are household names in the States. But how did they help Yamamoto? And what is the reason they command such respect?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto – The result of years of Japanese excellence

While Yoshinobu Yamamoto is waiting to make an impact in MLB, many other Japanese pitchers have already made their presence felt in the league. Yamamoto is standing on the shoulders of these giants as he looks to sign a record deal for a Japanese pitcher. Shohei Ohtani may be the most famous name on the list, what with his two-time unanimous MVPs, a feat never before seen in baseball. But he’s not alone.

There’s Masahiro Tanaka, who signed with the New York Yankees in a then-record contract of $155 million. For years, Tanaka remained a regular starter for the team and showed that Japanese pitchers were capable of leading a star-studded squad. 

Another big name is Koji Uehara, who did unthinkable things as a 38-year-old. He had an ERA of 1.09 in 2013 and ended up becoming a major reason for the Boston Red Sox’s World Series win. Then there’s Yu Darvish, a five-time All-Star and a master of almost 10 different pitches. Through him, teams see the tenacity and technical prowess that NPB gives to the players.

Read more: “Let’s Do This”: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Finally Hits Free Agency, Gets Fans Excited About His MLB Future

Among contemporaries, there’s Yusei Kikuchi of the Toronto Blue Jays, whose beautiful pitching form and equally well display speaks for itself. There is also Kodai Senga of the New York Mets, their number 1 pitcher and famed for his ghost forkball. Interestingly, Senga has played with Yamamoto before and is pushing his team to sign him. 

These players have proven the grit, consistency, and sheer willpower that comes out of the Land of the Rising Sun. It’s no surprise that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is seen with such high hopes by everyone. Could he create a lasting legacy for himself like these players? He certainly has the ability to become a part of history one way or the other.

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