During the offseason, Yoshinobu Yamamoto's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers was one of MLB's most high-profile movements, alongside Shohei Ohtani's mind-blowing contract with the team; with the Japanese wave coming to the Majors, Shota Imanaga's signing with the Chicago Cubs went a little under the radar.
However, for those who have been following his career, this move was not surprising. Imanaga, a standout player in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, has been making waves with his exceptional pitching skills, and his signing with the Cubs was a testament to his talent and potential.
A feat not seen since Fernando Valenzuela
However, one month into the regular season, Imanaga has been arguably the best pitcher in the league so far: He leads MLB in ERA (0.78), wins (5), ERA+ (547), and FIP (2.21), reaching a level not seen in a rookie pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela.
Imanaga's 0.78 ERA is not just impressive; it's a record-breaker. It's the lowest through a pitcher's first six career starts in the Major Leagues since the iconic Fernando Valenzuela rookie season in 1981, as he had a 0.33 ERA, the lowest since Integration.
Shota Imanaga signed a two-year deal worth $22.5 million, with a team option for three more years with the Chicago Cubs.