Shota Imanaga

Shota Imanaga's Biography

Born on September 1, 1993, Shōta Imanaga, affectionately dubbed “The Throwing Philosopher” and “Mike Imanaga II,” deftly rose to international fame as a committed and accomplished professional baseball pitcher. The talent and work of this left-handed hurler have brought him to the major leagues, where he currently lends his skills to the Chicago Cubs. However, his journey spearheaded in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he played an instrumental role in leading the Yokohama DeNA BayStars to success from 2016 to 2023.

Following a successful start with the BayStars, Imanaga’s exceptional talent led him to secure a position on the Australian Baseball League’s Canberra Cavalry for weeks 2–7 of the 2018–19 season. It was here where he made a remarkable impact by completing six starts for the Cavalry with an unbeaten 4–0 win-loss record. Combining his prowess and consistency, Imanaga bowled an impressive 0.51 earned run average (ERA) over 35 innings. His impeccable execution of a whopping 57 strikeouts to a singular walk set an unprecedented league record for stats, including WHIP (0.429), H/9 (3.6), BB/9 (0.3). His ERA also ranked an impressive second-best trailing behind Ryan Searle.

As his career flourished, the righty’s stats continued to impress. Back with the BayStars for the 2019 Nippon Professional Baseball season, Imanaga’s record included 13 wins and 7 losses with an ERA of 2.91. His performance bagged him a commendable second place in both wins and strikeouts across the Central League, only surpassed by Shun Yamaguchi.

Further, Imanaga’s fast-paced heartbeat intensified when on June 7, 2022, he etched his name into baseball history by pitching a sterling no-hitter game versus the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. His resolute spirit and unyielding focus allowed him to deliver a remarkable 117 pitches with a grand tally of nine strikeouts and one walk.

Imanaga switched continents in 2023 when the Yokohama club announced his posting to Major League Baseball following that season. The Chicago Cubs recognized his prowess, and on January 11, 2024, they enlisted Imaga for a sizable four-year contract worth $53 million, inclusive of a fifth-year option. However, the Cubs had to pay an additional surrender fee of $9.825 million to the BayStars. In his inaugural game as a Cub the following April, Imanaga immediately justified his hefty contract by bowling six shutout innings, during which he conceded a mere two hits and fetched nine strikeouts. His impressive performance continued for the first nine MLB starts, during which he sustained a 5-0 record leading the league in ERA at 0.84.

Imanaga’s versatility and national dedication saw him representing the Japan national team in the 2019 exhibition games against Mexico and the 2019 WBSC Premier12. His service continued as he played a pivotal role in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where Japan secured a triumphant victory.

Standing at 5 ft 10 in and weighing a sturdy 175 lb, Imanaga, is not just a power pitcher; he is a strategic one. Though his fastball averages around 92 mph and tops at 96 mph, he depends not solely on power but on sound technique. His arsenal includes a changeup, curveball, and slider, establishing himself as a pitcher with exceptional command and intellect.

Humorously, Imanaga admits to using the alias “Mike” due to baristas at Starbucks struggling with his given name. He even proudly changed his locker nameplate to read “Mike Imanaga II” explaining that “The ‘II’ just sounds cool”. His unique personality and philosophical nature justify his alias of “The Throwing Philosopher”. In his own words, even regular ideas may come out sophisticated. His humility and determination are evident as he admits to continually learning and studying to improve his game, echoing the overarching philosophy of his career. Imanaga invokes a comic relief by humorously associating his first-time experience of pitching in New York with the picturesqueness of being in a Spider-Man movie.

Imanaga’s journey testifies to his humility, dry humor, determination, and most importantly, his undeniable skill. Leaving no stone unturned, he continues to stamp a lasting mark on the world of professional baseball.