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Yasuaki Yamasaki makes NPB history

By David Hill |
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 07: Pitcher Yasuaki Yamasaki #19 of Team Japan is seen at the start of sixth inning during the gold medal game between Team United States and Team Japan on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 07, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 07: Pitcher Yasuaki Yamasaki #19 of Team Japan is seen at the start of sixth inning during the gold medal game between Team United States and Team Japan on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 07, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)

It had been a rough couple of seasons for Yasuaki Yamasaki.

The Yokohama Bay Stars reliever had been one of the top closers in the game in the mid to late 2010s, a five time All Star and the 2015 Central League Rookie of the Year, notching at least 30 saves four times. However, he struggled in 2020 and 2021, no longer able to overpower the opposition as he was removed from the closer role, recording just seven saves in those two years.

Yasuaki Yamasaki still battling his way back

Yamasaki has been closer to being the reliever that the Bay Stars were used to. He has recorded his fifth 30 save season as he returned to the All Star Game once again. His most recent save, a one batter appearance as he entered with two runners on and two out, was the 200th of his career. He became the eighth pitcher in NPB history to record 200 saves, and at 29 years and 10 months old, is the youngest pitcher in league history to reach that plateau.

That does not mean that Yamasaki is content. He said after that game that he is still not back to his previously overpowering self and is working to return to that level. It is a slow process, and he is taking it step by step, but he is not there yet.

However, no one can question his results this year. He has adapted to his diminished stuff to put together another excellent season, posting a 1.64 ERA and a 0.705 WHiP over his 44 innings, striking out 32 batters with just seven walks. The Bay Stars will certainly take that performance, even if Yamasaki feels he has a long way to go.

Given his age, Yamasaki could easily move further up the NPB saves list. While he has a long way to go to catch Iwase Hitoki and his 407 saves, he could eventually become the second closer in league history to join the 300 save club. And if he can get back to being the overpowering pitcher he was again, that journey may not take too long.

dark. Next. Senga eyeing move to MLB

Yasuaki Yamasaki faced one batter to preserve the win on Wednesday. That was enough for him to make NPB history with his 200th save.

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