Career
He plays infielder for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Yamada was named Central League Most Valuable Player in 2015 after leading the league in home runs (38), doubles (38), runs scored (119), and stolen bases (34). This marked the first time any NPB player led the league in home runs and stolen bases in the same year.
The Swallows reached the Japan Series in the same season.
In Game 3 of the series, Yamada hit three home runs in consecutive plate appearances. In assessing his Most Valuable Player season in October of 2015, the Japan Times wrote, "Yamada had a 2015 the likes of which is seldom seen in Japanese baseball.".