Jordan Yamamoto

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Jordan Yamamoto
Yamamoto with the Jupiter Hammerheads in 2018
Pitcher
Born: (1996-05-11) May 11, 1996 (age 28)
Pearl City, Hawaii, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 12, 2019, for the Miami Marlins
Last MLB appearance
May 23, 2021, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Win–loss record5–7
Earned run average6.05
Strikeouts98
Teams

Jordan Michael Michiru Yamamoto (born May 11, 1996) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and New York Mets.

Early life

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Yamamoto was born on Oahu to Larry, a diesel mechanic, and Candice Yamamoto, the vice president of a credit union. He is of half Filipino descent as well as Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese ancestry.[1] He has two sisters.[2]

Yamamoto attended Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii.[3] Per Yamamoto, he first caught the attention of scouts when they came to the ballpark to watch his teammate Kodi Medeiros pitch.[2] In the summer before his senior year, he committed to play college baseball at Arizona on a full scholarship[4] over competing offers from Utah, Oregon and Loyola Marymount.[5] Yamamoto's fastball topped out at 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) in the state tournament in his senior year.[4]

Professional career

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Milwaukee Brewers

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The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 12th round of the 2014 MLB draft, and he signed with Milwaukee rather than attend Arizona.[6]

After signing, Milwaukee assigned Yamamoto to the AZL Brewers where he went 0-1 with a 4.57 ERA in 21.2 innings. In 2015, he pitched for the Helena Brewers where he pitched to a 1-6 record and 7.84 ERA in 14 games (11 starts). Yamamoto played for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2016, posting a 7-8 record and 3.82 ERA,[7] and the Carolina Mudcats in 2017 where he pitched to a 9-4 record and 2.51 ERA in 22 games (18 starts).[8]

Miami Marlins

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On January 25, 2018, the Brewers traded Yamamoto, Isan Díaz, Lewis Brinson, and Monte Harrison to the Miami Marlins for Christian Yelich.[9] He was a non-roster invitee to 2018 spring training, and spent the 2018 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp of the Class AA Southern League. In seven starts for Jupiter, he was 4-1 with a 1.55 ERA, and in three starts for Jacksonville he went 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA.[10] After the season, he pitched for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League.[11]

The Marlins added Yamamoto to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[12] He returned to Jacksonville to begin the 2019 season.[13]

On June 12, 2019, Yamamoto was called up to the major leagues for the first time following an injury to pitcher José Ureña.[14][15] He pitched seven shutout innings with five strikeouts and earned the win as the Marlins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9–0.[16] In his next appearance, which was against the Cardinals again, he pitched another seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts in the 6–0 victory. Yamamoto set a franchise record with 14 scoreless innings to start his career.[17] Yamamoto pitched in 4 games for the club in 2020, notching a 18.26 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched.[18] On January 28, 2021, Yamamoto was designated for assignment by the Marlins following the signing of Anthony Bass.[19]

New York Mets

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On February 1, 2021, Yamamoto was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for Federico Polanco.[20] On May 25, Yamamoto was placed on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder soreness.[21] On April 5, 2022, Yamamoto was designated for assignment to create room on the roster for Chasen Shreve whose contract was selected. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A on April 10, He elected free agency on November 10, 2022.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On January 23, 2023, Yamamoto signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[22] On March 13, Yamamoto announced his retirement from professional baseball.[23]

Post-playing career

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On July 10, 2023, Yamamoto became the head coach of the William T. Dwyer High School (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) baseball team.[24] On May 18, 2024, he brought that team all the way to the state championship finals and they won the 6A State Championship 10-3.

Personal life

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Yamamoto has tattoos "all over his body" which "honor his parents, two sisters and his homeland."[2]

During a 2019 start, Yamamoto wrote a message on his hat in support of the Thirty Meter Telescope protests. He also took to Twitter to voice his support.[25]

In October 2019, Yamamoto became engaged to Madison Ahearn.[26] They married in December 2020.

As a minor league baseball player, Yamamoto took up haircutting as a hobby. He would offer teammates free haircuts to practice his skills and help them save money.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Lacques, Gabe (July 5, 2019). "Part of the Christian Yelich trade, Marlins rookie Jordan Yamamoto inspires hope in Miami". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Marks, Jon (October 1, 2019). "Family first: Jordan Yamamoto". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Saint Louis School grad Jordan Yamamoto to make MLB debut on mound for Miami Marlins". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. June 11, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "MLB: Carter and Yamamoto sign deals". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. June 21, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Hull, Billy (August 21, 2013). "Saint Louis' Yamamoto headed to Arizona". www.hawaiiprepworld.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Spangler, Sam (June 20, 2014). "Saint Louis standout Jordan Yamamoto inks with Brewers". KHON2. Archived from the original on June 25, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Froberg, Tim (May 6, 2016). "Yamamoto off to strong start for Rattlers". Postcrescent.com. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  8. ^ "Jordan Yamamoto Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  9. ^ "Miami Marlins trade outfielder Christian Yelich to Milwaukee Brewers". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 26, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  10. ^ "Jordan Yamamoto Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  11. ^ Trybulski, Jake (October 18, 2018). "Jordan Yamamoto off to hot Fall League start". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. ^ "Marlins' Jordan Yamamoto: Added to 40-man roster". CBS Sports. November 20, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  13. ^ "Marlins' Jordan Yamamoto: Optioned to Triple-A". CBS Sports. March 8, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  14. ^ Dusenbury, Wells (June 13, 2019). "Yamamoto's family makes last-minute flight from Hawaii to see his stunning Marlins debut". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  15. ^ Sussman, Ely (June 11, 2019). "Marlins call up RHP Jordan Yamamoto". Fish Stripes. SB Nation. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  16. ^ Frisaro, Joe (June 13, 2019). "Miami's hurlin' Hawaiian has thrilling debut". MLB.com. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  17. ^ McPherson, Jordan (June 18, 2019). "Jordan Yamamoto makes Miami Marlins franchise history during second career MLB start". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  18. ^ mlb.com/player/jordan-yamamoto-657141
  19. ^ Adams, Steve (January 28, 2021). "Marlins Designate Jordan Yamamoto For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  20. ^ Adams, Steve (February 1, 2021). "Mets Acquire Jordan Yamamoto". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  21. ^ Byrne, Connor (May 25, 2021). "Mets Acquire Billy McKinney". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  22. ^ "Jordan Yamamoto Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  23. ^ Yamamota, Jordan. "On to the next chapter… 🤙🏽". Twitter. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  24. ^ Smarr, Emilee (July 10, 2023). "Dwyer hires former Marlins pitcher Jordan Yamamoto as head baseball coach". www.palmbeachpost.com. Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  25. ^ Lewis, Ferd (July 25, 2019). "Pro athletes voice opinions on Mauna Kea". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Madison Marie on Instagram: "the easiest YES. I love you fiancé. ❤️"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  27. ^ Sussman, Ely (May 28, 2019). "LISTEN: Earning Their Stripes Episode 9: Jordan Yamamoto interview". Fish Stripes. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
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