It's safe to say that Clayton Kershaw is impressed with rookie pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The injured star pitcher watched in awe as Yamamoto delivered a scoreless start that helped the Los Angeles Dodgers earn a crucial Game 5 victory over the San Diego Padres to advance to the NLCS.

Following the victory, Kershaw remarked that Yamamoto is a "stud" and that it's important to make sure he remembers that.

"Once in a while," Kershaw said, per Andy McCullough of The Athletic, "you just have to remind him: You are a stud. You might be a rookie. But you are a stud."

While Yamamoto is technically in his rookie season, his experience and ability far exceeds that of a typical rookie. The 26-year-old spent seven seasons playing in the NPB in Japan, compiling a 72-29 record with a 2.11 career ERA.

He signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2024 season and had a solid debut season, going 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 90 innings.

He had a tough first outing in Game 1 of the NLDS, allowing five runs in three innings, but his five-inning, two-hit performance showed growth, and now he will hope to help Los Angeles reach the World Series for the first time since 2020.

While Kershaw won't be on the field to help, he will still have his role in supporting Yamamoto and the rest of the Dodgers pitching staff.