Yoshinobu Yamamoto wins third straight Sawamura Award ahead of potential move to MLB

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been named the winner of Japan's Eiji Sawamura Award for the third consecutive year. The 25-year-old right-hander is expected to be posted by the Orix Buffaloes this offseason with the hopes of joining a team in MLB. 

Only one player has won the award three consecutive years before, NPB Hall of Famer Masaichi Kaneda. 

The Sawamura Award is often referred to as the NPB's equivalent to the Cy Young Award but that designation isn't fully accurate. The Sawamura Award was established to recognize the league's top pitcher but there are specific statistical achievements that must be reached (based on seven benchmarks) in order for a player to be considered by a five-member panel that typically consists of former pitchers. The award is not handed out every year. If the committee deems that no pitcher was worthy, it will remain vacant.

The Sawamura Award differs from the Most Valuable Pitcher Award which is handed out to the top pitcher from both the Central and Pacific Leagues. 

Yamamoto led the league in strikeouts (169), ERA (1.21), wins (16) and winning percentage (.727) this past season. He also threw a no-hitter in September and began the year pitching for Japan's World Baseball Classic roster. 

Interest is expected to be high once Orix officially posts Yamamoto, with many estimating that he could see a contract north of $200 million thanks in large part to his age (he won't turn 26 until next August).