Unleashing the Samurai Ace: Inside Yamamoto's Meteoric Rise in Year Two with Dodgers

For deGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner and four-time All-Star, such plaudits are nothing new. But for Yamamoto, the second-year big leaguer blossoming as one of the sport’s best starters, it was a sign of how far — and how quickly — his young MLB career has progressed.

Read more: Paul Skenes wins duel with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers extend losing streak

“He’s learned his way really well,” Kershaw said. “And honestly fast, for what it was.”

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Last year, as a rookie with massive expectations following his record-breaking $325-million signing out of Japan, Yamamoto was good. Great at times, even. He went 7-2 with a 3.00 earned-run average. He struck out 105 in just 90 innings. He was the Dodgers’ Game 1 starter for the National League Division Series.

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