“Glad he’s on our team,” Freddie Freeman opens up about Dodgers’ teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto after getting blown away by his pitching skills in training

Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 12-year, $325 million deal.

“Glad he’s on our team,” Freddie Freeman opens up about Dodgers’ teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto after getting blown away by his pitching skills in training

Freddie Freeman (L) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (R) [Image via ESPN/MLB]

The MLB Spring training is getting closer day by day. Recently, the pitchers and catchers reported to training duty in the wake of the new campaign. In one of this training sessions, Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Freddie Freeman was left blown away by the skills of new recruit Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Japanese ace pitcher was the second big name signing by the Dodgers following the move of Shohei Ohtani. While he might not pitch in the 2024 season, Yamamoto will. In this first pitching session, he has left some of his new teammates stunned.

YouTube video

As Freeman faced Yamamoto in his first batting practice of the season, he was left mesmerized by the skillset and talent of the three-time NPB MVP. After the session, Freeman expressed that he was happy to be his teammate and not face him as an opponent.

FS Video
That's some crazy stuff. I am glad he is on our team.
Freddie Freeman on Yoshinobu Yamamoto in live BP.

Yamamoto is now expected to play an important role for the team in the 2024 season. He is also likely to lead the pitching rotation lineup which will further include another new signing Tyler Glasnow.

Recently, the Japanese international himself opened up about the atmosphere regarding his new team. He revealed the experience of his first training session with them and claimed that the “vibe of the team and the clubhouse is amazing“.

Coach Dave Roberts backs Yoshinobu Yamamoto to be a frontline starter in 2024

First impressions are really important in life. It can give a sense about what to expect from someone. Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s first impression on the Los Angeles Dodgers has gone down well with many members of the team including coach Dave Roberts being left impressed by him.

Dave Roberts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Dave Roberts (L) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (R) [Image via LA Times/Imago]

Speaking about his performance following the BP, Roberts expressed his confidence in Yamamoto being a frontline starter this year.

He is very intelligent, very curious, and he's going to be prepared and understand how to attack major league hitters. I'm very confident that he can be a frontline starter.
Dave Roberts on Yoshinobu Yamamoto as per LA Times.

The expectations are now definitely higher than ever before on his shoulders. Recently, the MLB Network unveiled their Top 100 players in the league for the 2024 season. Despite not throwing a single pitch in the major leagues, Yamamoto was ranked at 61st position, ahead of Justin Verlander.

The Dodgers will kick off the Spring training action when they take on their rivals, the San Diego Padres, this coming week. It might give the fans a first glimpse of Yamamoto in Dodger Blue against a major league team.

In case you missed it: