Shota Imanaga

Bats L Throws L5'10" 175 lbBorn 1993 Kitakyushu, JapanDebut 2024Team CHC1x All-StarContract 1 y/$22.025M (26) 2026: $22,025,000

Awards: All-MLB Second Team

Projections

SeasonBFK%BB%HR%1B%XBH%PITCH+
202657820.34.94.2119.66.41103.0
2027102.4
2028101.0

Projected rates are per plate appearance or batter faced; counting stats scale with projected playing time. Statcast measurements inform these projections as inputs and are reported as measurements, not projected.

Most similar through age 31

His ten closest age-31 comparables averaged 98 PITCH+ the next season; 10 of 10 played. Averages cover only the players who got a next season, which is why the played count matters.

#PlayerThroughPITCH+ thenNext seasonNext PA / BF
1Kenta Maeda2019108.8131.4248
2Mike Clevinger2022107.7102.1549
3Steven Wright2016108.155.5114
4Chris Bassitt2020103.2111.8637
5Colby Lewis2011102.9104.3427
6Mike Fiers2016100.989.1671
7Jeremy Guthrie2010101.794.5889
8Ted Lilly2007103.2103.7861
9Junior Guerra2016110.191.8314
10Tanner Roark2018105.994.2722

Pitching

YearTeamWLERAGGSSVIPBFHRBBSOPITCH+
2027 proj578102.4
2026*578103.5101.9105.4
2025CHC983.7325250144.75673126117105.9100.2106.1
2024CHC1532.9129290173.36942728174107.999.8107.7
Career24113.2854540318.012615854291107.0107.0

Fielding

YearTeamPosGInnPOAEDPFld%Runs saved
2025CHCP2514568200.875+0.1
2024CHCP29173414011.000-0.2

Runs saved covers the Statcast era; for catchers it includes framing.

Minor leagues

YearLevelTeamSidePA / BFLineAVG / ERAOPS
2025RkACL CubsPit206.0 IP, 40% K0.00

Splits

Yearvs LHPvs RHPHomeAway
20260.3060.3100.3130.303
20250.2780.3030.3060.287
20240.2510.3030.2780.311

wOBA by split, from pitch level data, 2015 on. For pitchers the split is the batter side faced.

Postseason pitching

YearWLERAGGSSVIPHHRBBSOWHIP
2025018.712106.283261.61
Career018.712106.283261.61