All eyes are on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thanks to the couple of Japanese imports. After signing Shohei Ohtani to a record deal, they followed it up by securing the phenom, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in a hefty 12-year, $325 million deal. Although the 25-year-old boasts unquestionable talent, his lack of experience on American soil has brought about skepticism. Not to mention envy from some corners of the MLB fanbase.

Well, keeping aside the naysayers, the 3x-Eji Sawamura award winner stepped onto the mound for his Spring Training debut against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. This was an important one to prove his worth. And in those two innings, on one hand, he silenced doubters, on the other, drew multiple envious comments.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Impressive Debut

His first pitch, a fastball, was to the All-Star Marcus Semien, who struck out swinging. And this was just the beginning. The dominance continued as he struck two more batters out in the second inning. He showcased a filthy splitter and a tight-breaking curveball alongside his high-octane fastball. Moreover, Yoshi allowed just one hit, sustaining a scoreless outing that left a strong impact on fans, and not necessarily all positive. 

While the numbers paint a picture of a supreme performance, it’s important to remember that this is only Spring Training. However, Yamamoto’s composure and ability to pitch against established MLB hitters are undeniable positives. Despite the confidence fans are certainly not happy. 

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Folks who remain skeptical about his performance were quote open about sharing their candid opinions online. Many among others were unfazed by Yamamoto’s prowess. It’s understandable that this is only spring training, but though Yoshi did a great job at his debit, he got called a “fraud”. 

Haters Gonna Hate!

A mixed bag of comments on social media about the flamethrower’s performance opened what looked like pandora’s box of envy. Despite showing promise, fans question Yamamoto’s ability to maintain his strength when the season gets underway. 

One among others attributed Yoshi’s performance against the Rangers to luck. 

Another fan reiterated that this is just the spring training and there’s no big deal about his performance whatsoever. 

One fan among the envy emerged in support of the MLB debutant. 

Well, what if the reason Yoshi shone was because the Rangers weren’t that great? 

Yet another fan called him a “bust”.

So, here’s the thing. The former Orix Buffaloes star has taken his first step onto the international stage of MLB. Sure, the journey ahead is long, but his debut performance has sent a clear message. 

Why Yoshinobu Yamamoto Snubbed the Phillies, Left Money on the Table to Achieve His Dodgers Dream

He’s here to stay. No matter what, he’s ready to prove his haters wrong. One can’t control the lingering envious whispers however, if Yamamoto continues on this path, they will soon be drowned in the roars of the Dodgers faithful.