The Chicago Cubs hit the jackpot with Shota Imanaga.
Seeing how a lot Yoshinobu Yamamoto bought paid ($325 million), to suppose the Cubs bought Imanaga for $53 million is downright comical.
That’s how successful runs are born: not with the mammoth contracts, however with the savvy investments.
Imanaga, who at present leads baseball with a 0.96 ERA, definitely qualifies.
He’s a part of an elite group of hurlers who’re dominating the opposition in MLB, through FOX Sports activities: MLB on Twitter.
There are 5 certified pitchers with an ERA underneath 2.00 💪 pic.twitter.com/7i4eA1cpMc
Because the tweet states, “there are 5 certified pitchers with an ERA underneath 2.00.”
Imanaga, nevertheless, is the one one with an ERA underneath 1.00.
Anticipating him to complete out the season with an ERA underneath 1.00 is unrealistic, nevertheless it’s protected to say at this level that not solely he belongs, however he’s a star.
In Japan, Yamamoto was by far essentially the most dominant of the 2 pitchers, however Imanaga was additionally a star there.
He was additionally a part of the Japanese crew that gained the 2023 World Baseball Traditional.
He additionally has a terrific resume.
Yamamoto may need extra assets and higher command, however there isn’t a $272 million hole between the 2.
No means.
The left-hander has been parlaying a singular fastball from a really uncomfortable slot to stymie hitters across the league.
Along with the 0.96 ERA, he has given up simply eight walks in 46.2 innings, whereas hanging out 51 batters.
Specialists say {that a} pitcher’s BB/Ok ratio may be very a lot an indicative of future success and Imanaga has been dominant in that regard.
There isn’t any cause to suppose he’ll all of a sudden collapse, so the Cubs bought themselves an ace at a really inexpensive value.