Joe Kelly is now sponsored by Ohtani, who wears the New Balance SO1 shoes.

Dave Roberts Thinks Shohei Ohtani Is Crucial To Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Decision To Join Major League Baseball

Detractors of the Dodgers’ decision to sign Yamamoto to the deal argue that giving out such a massive contract to someone who has yet to pitch at the Major League level could blow up in their face. But the Dodgers are confident it will work out.Similar things were said about Shohei Ohtani when he originally made his move over to the United States from Japan in 2018.The circumstances around Ohtani’s arrival were different as he originally signed with the Angels for just a $2.3 million signing bonus. However, there were those who doubted that he could replicate his two-way play style in the Majors.While there have certainly been Japanese players who have had very successful MLB careers, none have had the amount of hype and expectations placed upon their arrivals like Ohtani and Yamamoto. Ohtani had his struggles and hardships early on, but he firmly established himself as a household name in MLB.Most impressively, he adjusted to his new environment all on his own, and now he’s able to help out Yamamoto make the adjustment, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:“I think Shohei coming here six years ago [with the Angels] and not having a fellow countryman to help support him was different and difficult at times,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But for Yoshinobu to come here and have a [WBC] teammate, a fellow countryman, kind of show him the ropes and support him … has been great.”The path laid out in front of Yamamoto will be a difficult one that may or may not contain some bumps in the road, but he has Ohtani to lean on while he establishes himself.Not only has Ohtani been one of MLB’s best for years now, but he is someone Yamamoto can relate to in the sense of their shared cultural background and perspective while he navigates the culture shock of moving to a new country.While the Dodgers expect Yamamoto to be their ace, they also have two other exciting and talented arms in Tyler Glasnow and Bobby Miller to shoulder some of those expectations and pitch at the front of their rotation.Dodgers could be more dangerous on the base paths this seasonStealing bases have never been a huge part of the Dodgers’ game in the modern era, and it was a reflection of the modern MLB landscape as a whole.However, last season MLB changed the equation and brought base stealing back from the grave through the introduction of bigger bases and new pickoff rules surrounding the pitch clock.Ohtani is an elite athlete with great speed who stole 20 bases last season with the Los Angeles Angels. With that ability, he has had conversations with Freddie Freeman, who hits right behind him, about being more aggressive on the basepaths.The Dodgers’ run scoring ability could be a lot more potent this season if Ohtani is able to get himself into scoring position after a single or walk with Freeman at the plate.After paying Yoshinobu Yamamoto more than any other MLB pitcher in history, the Los Angeles Dodgers set lofty goals for both themselves and Yamamoto.

Critics of the Dodgers’ choice to commit Yamamoto to the deal say it could backfire if they recruit someone with no Major League pitching experience. But the Dodgers are sure everything will turn out okay.

Upon Shohei Ohtani’s initial 2018 relocation to the US from Japan, similar comments were made.

The circumstances surrounding Ohtani’s arrival were unique, as he had originally agreed to a $2.3 million signing bonus with the Angels. Some, though, weren’t convinced he could carry over his dynamic two-way play into the Majors.

There have been other Japanese players with successful MLB careers, but none with the level of anticipation and star power that Ohtani and Yamamoto received upon their arrival. Despite early setbacks, Ohtani became a household name in Major League Baseball.

According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, he accomplished the remarkable feat of adjusting to his new environment alone. Now, he can even assist Yamamoto in his own adjustment:

The absence of a fellow countryman to provide support to Shohei when he came here six years ago with the Angels was something that was different and challenging at times, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “However, it has been greatly beneficial for Yoshinobu to have a fellow countryman and [WBC] teammate to guide and assist him.”

Although Yamamoto’s journey ahead will be challenging and fraught with obstacles, he can rely on Ohtani for support as he establishes himself.

As he deals with the culture that comes with migrating to a new nation, Yamamoto can relate to Ohtani because of their common cultural background and viewpoint. Ohtani has also been one of MLB’s greatest for years.

The Dodgers have Tyler Glasnow and Bobby Miller, two more exciting and talented arms, who can shoulder part of the pressure and throw at the head of the rotation, but they still expect Yamamoto to be their ace.

This season, the Dodgers may pose a greater threat on the base paths.As with the rest of modern Major League Baseball, base theft has never been an important aspect of the Dodgers’ game.

Big bases and new pickoff rules involving the pitch clock revived base stealing last season, though, when Major League Baseball altered the equation.

Ohtani is a lightning-fast, top athlete who stole 20 bases for the Angels last year. He has discussed becoming more aggressive on the basepaths with Freddie Freeman, who hits right behind him, using that talent.

The Dodgers’ run-scoring potential could be significantly higher this season if Ohtani can successfully advance to scoring position following a single or walk with Freeman at the bat.