As the 2024 season approached, Shota Imanaga made the leap from NPB to MLB, signing a four-year, $53 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. His debut season was nothing short of electrifying. Starting 29 games, Imanaga posted a stellar 15-3 record, a 2.91 ERA, and racked up 174 strikeouts over 173.1 innings.
Yet, like many athletes, he faced challenges in his sophomore year. His performance dipped slightly, with a 9-8 record, a 3.73 ERA, and 117 strikeouts across 144.2 innings.
A hamstring injury on May 4 played a significant role in this decline, forcing him to adjust his delivery and lose some velocity. This adjustment, while necessary, put him at a disadvantage given his already moderate velocity.
Now, with a clean bill of health, Imanaga is ready to reclaim his place as a top-tier pitcher in the Cubs' rotation. ESPN's Jeff Passan has high expectations, noting that Imanaga's fastball is clocking in at 92.6 mph this spring. His elite ability to backspin the ball deceives hitters, causing them to swing under it, and if he maintains this form, he could surpass his rookie year performance.
Success for Imanaga hinges on his ability to consistently hit his spots and effectively tunnel his fastball with his splitter against right-handers and sweeper against lefties. If he can master these elements, the sky's the limit for both him and the Cubs this season.