Chicago Cubs lefty Shōta Imanaga was named to his first All-MLB team Thursday night, earning second-team honors following his excellent rookie season and then he brought down the house in Las Vegas at the All-MLB award show.
The sixth annual All-MLB Team was announced Thursday night and Imanaga was one of 10 starting pitchers highlighted for his superb 2024 performance. The All-MLB Team is split into a First and Second Team with each featuring one selection at every infield position, three outfield winners, (regardless of position) DH, five starting pitchers and two relievers.
First-Team honors at starting pitcher went to Chris Sale, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Zack Wheeler and Corbin Burnes. Meanwhile, on the Second-Team, Imanaga was joined by Dylan Cease, Seth Lugo, Framber Valdez and Michael King. You can view all the winners here.
But Imanaga stole the show by joining host and die-hard Cubs fan Roy Wood Jr. in a rendition of Go Cubs Go!
SHOTA IMANAGA SINGING GO CUBS GO 🗣️ 🎶 pic.twitter.com/FjLCGoqJr2
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) November 15, 2024
Protect Shōta Imanaga at all costs!
Great pitcher, great personality, how can you not love Shōta.
Via MLB.com.
Imanaga was also involved in a no-hitter this season, though his was a combined effort on Sept. 4 against the Pirates. The lefty tossed seven hitless innings before turning it over to the bullpen for the final two frames. That put an exclamation point on an incredible debut season for Imanaga, who went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 174 strikeouts over 29 starts.
The Cubs signed Imanaga last offseason and in his first season in MLB the left-hander was the one constant performer in what turned out to be a turbulent year for Chicago's starting rotation. Imanaga led the pitching staff with 173.1 innings, 29 starts, 174 strikeouts and his 2.91 ERA was tops among the starter as well.
The Cubs went 22-7 in Imanaga's 29 starts, which included victories in his first seven starts and his final six starts of the 2024 season.
From day one, Shōta Imanaga has been all-in with the Cubs and the city of Chicago.
Hey, Shōta, whaddya say!? pic.twitter.com/yUXm6FkQwJ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 12, 2024
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