Shōta Imanaga Impressive Yet Again in Latest Spring Start
Shōta Imanaga went into Thursday’s start having struck out 10 batters to just two walks over his first two appearances. Not bad for just 5.1 innings of work. The only problem is that he’d also allowed five earned runs on seven hits, two of which left the yard. Finding out how to tweak his pitch mix and philosophy, specifically getting away from Japan’s lower strike zone, may make all the difference between stardom and mediocrity.
If his latest outing is a clue, Imanaga is well on his way to getting things dialed in. The lefty struck out nine with no walks and no runs on three hits over 4.1 innings, displaying excellent command of the zone. After throwing all 21 pitches in his first start for strikes, it was evident Imanaga was forcing things the next time out as he landed only 32 of his 57 (56.1%) offerings in the zone.
Thursday saw more of a hybrid approach, with 51 of 70 (72.8%) pitches going for strikes. While that might be too high a percentage on paper, and probably would have been higher if not for Brian Walsh’s assessments behind the plate, Imanaga can get away with it as long as he’s locating well. With full acknowledgment that he was facing an A’s team that was among the worst in baseball last year when it came to hitting four-seamers, we’re talking about an elite strike-thrower.
Efficiency is all part of the plan, and it certainly helps that he’s getting more familiar with both his opponents and his teammates.
“I believe a really good pitcher shouldn’t [just] get strikeouts, but also limit his pitch count,” Imanaga said via interpreter after his outing. “And today I got strikeouts but threw a couple pitches a little too much, so I want to continue to work on that to limit the pitch count and continue the strikeouts.
“So I want to be consistent, especially with these great MLB hitters…This was the second time I was pitching to Yan Gomes and I was able to communicate with him what I wanted to work on.”
Shōta Imanaga’s 9 Strikeouts in 4.1 innings. pic.twitter.com/tgQSWIi9ha
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 14, 2024
As Marquee’s Lance Brozdowski noted, Imanaga generated at least 16 whiffs from Oakland batters on Thursday afternoon. For as bad as the A’s may have been against the heater, 10 of those swings and misses came against a nearly invisible splitter that the Cubs are pushing their new starter to throw more frequently. Take a look at the first pitch in the video below as it dives to the dirt for a strikeout.
Awesome vantage point today for Shōta Imanaga’s start.
I had 10 splitter whiffs + 6 fastball whiffs. 3 sweepers + 4 curves thrown.
Elevating 4S well. Split pretty invisible. #TeamSplitter
Some pitches below. ~5.5’ release (4” below MLB average) with ~18-20” iVB plays. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/JpRmuH07rf
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) March 14, 2024
What I really love, however, is the third pitch we see here, a riding fastball that works back to Imanaga’s arm side for a whiff. Having that pitch in his bag is a game-changer because hitters are not only going to have fits with it in that spot, but they’ll also be unable to sit on cheese at the knees. Or mid-thighs. Fastball up/splitter down is a nasty combo all on its own before considering what Imanaga can do with the sweeper and curve.
Feel free to apply whatever caveats you feel are necessary, I just love watching this guy pitch and I think he’s going to be a lot of fun this season near the top of the rotation.
