Houston Astros' new starting pitcher, Tatsuya Imai, is gearing up for his debut Major League Baseball season. After securing a three-year, $54 million deal with the AL West team, Imai is set to bring the talent that made him a standout in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Saitama Seibu Lions.
Imai last donned Japan's colors at the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship in 2016, and while he's in the designated pitcher pool for the World Baseball Classic, he's not expecting to take the mound this year.
When asked about Team Japan's prospects, Imai expressed confidence in their abilities. "I think they're going to be able to win it no matter what," he shared through his interpreter. "They don't need me."
Japan's performance so far backs up Imai's confidence. Heading into a quarterfinals clash against Ronald Acuna Jr. and Venezuela, Japan boasts an unblemished 4-0 record in Pool C. Their pitching staff has been stellar, allowing only eight earned runs and 20 hits across 34 innings, and their 49 strikeouts are second only to Team USA's 57.
Imai's focus remains on making an impact with the Astros, but his faith in his national team speaks volumes about Japan's depth and talent on the international stage.