Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shines in Must-Win Game

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the most prized free agent pitcher in the 2023 free agent class, just threw a gem. In Game 6 of a playoff elimination game, he pitched nine innings, allowing nine hits and one run, striking out 14 batters while walking none – in 138 pitches for the Orix Buffaloes. In what will be his last start before being posted, pitching a complete game and dominating his opponent, the Hansin Tigers, can only do more to bolster his reputation and up his price tag.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto just pitched a complete game on 138 pitches in his last start before becoming an MLB free agent

He had 14 strikeouts, breaking Yu Darvish's Japan Series record pic.twitter.com/SleSD0Kl4c

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 4, 2023

The 25-year-old Yamamoto had his splitter working all game and routinely beat batters with well-located fastballs on both sides of the plate. The combination of velocity and control leads many to believe his game will translate to the MLB level without much difficulty – and his ability to go deep into games and not allow home runs offers an even more promising outlook. If it weren’t for Shohei Ohtani, Yamamoto would no doubt be the number one free agent in the class.

Since the 2023 New York Mets struggled to have their starters go deep into games, Yamamoto would be a perfect fit. With a possible starting rotation of Kodai Senga, Yamamoto, Jose Quintana, and some combination of David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Jose Butto, Joey Lucchesi and possibly Mike Vasil who is in Triple-A, the Mets would have a vastly stronger rotation. 

With two pitchers in Yamamoto and Quintana who can be efficient with their pitches, it would leave the bullpen to handle the later innings and not be concerned about coming into games in the fifth inning. The Mets last season only had one complete outing – by David Peterson. Only four starters pitched 100 innings or more – and that includes Max Scherzer before he was traded to Texas.

The post Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shines in Must-Win Game first appeared on Metsmerized Online.