Within the offseason, the Chicago Cubs signed Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million deal that could possibly be a five-year, $80 million pact if a membership possibility is picked up.
A number of weeks previous to that, the Los Angeles Dodgers inked Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract.
Whereas Yamamoto is perhaps the higher pitcher each now and later down the highway, there isn’t a $272 million hole between them.
Not an opportunity.
Imanaga has been top-of-the-line pitchers within the opening month of MLB, fairly possible the perfect if we go to the sheer, chilly numbers.
He’s dominating and is reaching historic ranges along with his run-prevention prowess.
The league posted a graphic during which it reveals Imanaga has the fourth-best ERA for a pitcher in his first six profession begins, excluding openers.
Shota Imanaga is placing on a Sho 😤
That quantity is 0.78, throughout 34.2 innings.
Solely Fernando Valenzuela (0.33), Dave Ferriss (0.50), and Bob Shawkey (0.75) had a decrease ERA than Imanaga over their first six profession begins.
Essentially the most spectacular factor about Imanaga is just not his velocity, though it’s not too shabby, or his strikeout skill, although it at present stands at over a Okay per inning (35 for the season): it’s his management and command.
The left-hander doesn’t harm himself with walks, as he has given away simply 4 in 34.2 frames.
The Cubs have each purpose to really feel ecstatic in regards to the funding they made within the offseason, because the southpaw has been a significant purpose why the staff is at present contending.
So long as Imanaga stays wholesome, his numbers can be one thing to behold.