With an infectious smile, a kind persona, and humble behavior toward his colleagues, the world knows Yoshinobu Yamamoto as quite a polite person to be around. That sweetness changes to a cunning, tactful mentality whenever Yamamoto’s profession comes into play. Or that’s what Yamamoto’s WBC teammate says he has witnessed in the past.

Lars Nootbaar, Yamamoto’s Japanese teammate in the World Baseball Classic, had an interesting statement to make about the ace’s prowess outside the diamond. The outfielder for the Cardinals has seen Yoshi deal with professionals before. That is the reason why he wasn’t worried about Yamamoto’s free-agency initiation into MLB. What did Nootbaar say about the star pitcher?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a killing machine both on and off the field

According to ESPN, Nootbaar said that Yoshinobu Yamamoto was ready to step into the professional baseball scene in America way before he actually did. “Publicly and amongst friends, he is the nicest, most caring person there is. But underneath that, he’s a stone-cold killer,” said Nootbaar, going on to reveal how Yamamoto owns any room he walks into. “He knows what he’s looking for. He takes notes on everything.” The same fierceness shows up in his pitching form on the field and in his intense pre-workout regime as well.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto carries a bag around with him whenever he enters the practice field. Mini javelins, wooden blocks, tiny soccer balls, and a yoga mat—his bag consists of various things that one would not usually expect in a traditional baseballer’s bag. The workout regime that follows also isn’t very conventional.

Workout equipment or parlor tricks?

He uses the blocks to steady himself and feel his positioning. The soccer balls come into play, which he uses to bounce off the wall in front as a warm-up exercise for his hands. Then he uses the javelin sticks to practice throwing, covering distances that are unimaginable to his teammates. Throws that help him pitch at 99 miles per hour.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto has yet to choose a club for his free agency option, but fans can certainly hope for him to show up in the major games with the same aggressiveness once he makes a decision. Here’s to a great future for the newest Japanese sensation in MLB!

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