Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga is proving that the four-year, $53 million investment by the Chicago Cubs to bring him into Major League Baseball is worth every penny. He hasn’t given up a run in his first two starts and has a 0.40 WHIP in ten innings.
Imanaga’s debut in the MLB was a thrilling spectacle. The 30-year-old pitcher from Fukuoka showcased his prowess, giving up only two hits in six innings against the Colorado Rockies. His nine strikeouts earned him a well-deserved victory. In his subsequent start, he continued to impress, pitching four innings against the formidable Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up just two hits and striking out three, including two-time American League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani.
Shota Imanaga wins Round 1 vs. Shohei Ohtani! pic.twitter.com/JjWCe1GmCk
— MLB (@MLB) April 7, 2024
However, he did not earn the victory against the Dodgers because it went to Yency Almonte. But what’s more important is that he’s never given a run or a base on balls after facing 35 batters.
While he’s new to MLB, Shota Imanaga isn’t a foreigner in terms of striking out batters. He was Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League strikeout champion with 188 strikeouts. Aside from the COVID-shortened 2020 NPB season, the lowest he had in one year was 110.
Imanaga is also a two-time NPB All-Star, earning his second nod last year. He pitched a no-hitter in June 2022 and won two gold medals for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
While the Cubs will start a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, Imanaga might not participate in any of those games because he last pitched on April 7. Therefore, he might have his next start on April 12 or 13 versus the Seattle Mariners.
-Lance Fernandez