What makes Yamamoto's splitter so effective?
Its high whiff rate and ability to induce ground balls make it difficult for hitters to generate offense.
Baseball / MLB
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers' prized pitcher, is making a strong case for the Cy Young Award in his second MLB season. With a dominant splitter and improved overall performance, Yamamoto is quickly becoming one of the league'...
### Yamamoto's Dominant Splitter Yamamoto's splitter is arguably the most valuable in MLB, with hitters struggling to make solid contact. In 2025, opposing hitters whiffed on over half of their swings against the splitter, and when they do make contact, it's typically a ground ball. The average launch angle against his splitter is a staggering -19 degrees.
### Improved Pitch Arsenal Beyond the splitter, Yamamoto's other pitches have also improved. His four-seam fastball has gained more rise, while his curveball has increased vertical movement. Even his cutter has picked up additional cut, making it a more effective weapon against hitters on both sides of the plate.
### Pinpoint Command Yamamoto's ability to locate his pitches is a key factor in his success. His four-seamer consistently hits the edges of the strike zone, and he can drop his splitter off the table or spot it on the corners. This precision makes it difficult for hitters to anticipate his pitches and make solid contact.
### Week 5 Performance Yamamoto out-dueled Jacob deGrom in one game, pitching seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. His strikeout rate ranks among the league leaders, complementing his low ERA.
**How to Prepare:** Fans should watch Yamamoto's starts closely to witness his pitching arsenal and command. Fantasy baseball players should consider him a top-tier pitching option.
**Who This Affects Most:** Dodgers fans, MLB enthusiasts, and fantasy baseball players.
Its high whiff rate and ability to induce ground balls make it difficult for hitters to generate offense.
His pitch velocity, movement, and command have all shown significant improvement.
Yes, his performance in 2025 has placed him among the top pitchers in the National League.
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