Olympic baseball gold medallist Yoshinobu Yamamoto wins third consecutive MVP Award

It's a season to remember for Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The international baseball star earned his third consecutive Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Award.

Yamamoto was named the Pacific League MVP after earning his third Eiji Sawamura Award for the best pitcher and his third gold glove.

In three stellar seasons for the Orix Buffaloes, the 25-year-old right-hander has combined 49 wins and kept his earned run average (ERA) below two. He pitched 550.2 innings and struck out 580.

Yamamoto, who is negotiating with multiple Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs under the posting system, led the Buffaloes to a 2022 Japan Series title but couldn't repeat it. The Buffaloes lost the Japan Series 2023 in seven games against the Hanshin Tigers.

The Tigers right-hander Shoki Murakami earned the Central League MVP and Rookie of the Year honours.

Murakami, 25, has a 10-6 record. He pitched 144.1 innings, striking out 137. He has a .75 ERA.

Shunpei Yamashita, a 21-year-old Orix Buffaloes starter, won the Pacific League Rookie of the Year Award.