2025 NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes named Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto as his “most ideal” pitcher and studied Shohei Ohtani prioritizes sleep.
What Did Paul Skenes Say About Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
Yamamoto was right at the top of Skenes’ list of pitchers he admires, and it’s no wonder why given his track record since coming to MLB. He had a great year in 2026, pitching 185 innings and posting a 2.53 ERA while striking out 185 batters.
He has been among MLB’s best since his arrival in 2024, posting a 2.61 ERA across three seasons while striking out 488 batters in 448.2 innings.
Skenes specifically noted how effectively Yamamoto mixes his pitches, specifically noting how he uses his fastball to set up his curveball and splitter, and said he appreciates Yamamoto’s intense training schedule.
Additionally, Skenes underwent a full-body assessment at the Nihon Bashi Nishikawa main store in Tokyo, having a custom bed and pillow made for him.
“Everyone in America knows how much Shohei values sleep and recovery,” Skenes said. “Knowing that I can sleep in the same, top-tier environment as him is very reassuring.”
Ohtani is a clear role model for players across MLB given his dedication to baseball and his meticulous processes, and his results show how effective his preparation is.
Ohtani has the most MVP awards of any active player, winning three in a row prior to this year, and he has been the best player in baseball since coming to the Dodgers. Over the past three years, Ohtani has a .985 OPS with 139 homers and 313 RBIs.
How Good is Paul Skenes?
Skenes made his debut the same season as Yamamoto, winning rookie of the year with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024. He won the Cy Young award in 2025 with an MLB-leading 1.97 ERA, but he wasn’t as effective this past season.
He posted a career-worst 3.82 ERA, but still managed 200 strikeouts in 174 innings pitched.
Skenes is a fantastic pitcher with a bright future, and taking after some of the league’s best is sure to help him on his way back to the top of his game.
