Shōta Imanaga does not have a secret identity or an alter-ego. He is just an extraordinary pitcher rifling right through his first month as a Major League Baseball player. He's also proven to be the best free agency signing for the Chicago Cubs this past offseason.
Imanaga spun another gem against the New York Mets on Wednesday night, and we're all running out of things to say about him. Seven more scoreless innings, seven more strikeouts, and another win in the books made Imanaga's first trip to New York memorable. His response was priceless when he was asked what it was like pitching in The Big Apple for the first time.
Last night was a perfect example of his superpowers. Whether the offense gives him five runs of support or one, he keeps the Cubs in every game he pitches in. He is truly the anchor of this rotation through one month of play. He can't spin webs, but he can sure spin a baseball.
MLB Network's MLB Central show awarded Imanaga the first Pich Hand Award of the 2024 season. ESPN has ranked him as a top starter in the league and put him on the All-April team. Every power ranking has the Cubs in or close to the top ten, mentioning Imanaga's success as a big reason.
From the moment he first came to Chicago, Imanaga embedded himself in the city's culture and immersed himself in being a Chicago Cub. He's better than any superhero anyone could have asked for to save the Cubs from falling behind because of injuries and inexperience. And now, some big-time history is on the horizon.
Shōta Imanaga Setting Himself Up To Do Something Only Done Once Before
Shōta Imanaga now leads all of baseball with his 0.78 earned run average. Through six starts, he is 5-0. His shortest outing was a four-inning start against the Dodgers—and that's only because it was shortened by rain. Imanaga leads the team in innings pitched (34.2), strikeouts (35), and opponent batting average (.175).
Only once in Major League Baseball history has a pitcher won both the Rookie of the Year Award and Cy Young Award in the same year. Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Fernando Valenzuela did this in 1981. The season was shortened due to a player strike, but Valenzuela posted a 13-7 record with a 2.48 ERA. He was also the only pitcher to really be in the MVP hunt, finishing fifth. Also worth noting is that the Dodgers won the World Series that season.
There is a long way to go in 2024, and (luckily) there's no threat of the season being shortened. Imanaga has started his career better than anyone could have hoped for. Summer months at Wrigley Field are coming, and those months test even the best pitchers with heat and swirling winds. Imanaga has dominated phase one of his career. Phase two may become trickier for him, but he has given us no reason to be concerned.
The team behind Imanaga will also be getting healthier in the next couple of weeks. Theoretically, if the Cubs can do this kind of damage as banged up as they are, they could be lethal when they're back to full strength. Regardless, they'll continue to lean on Imanaga as their superhero.
