"Things got so bad for Shōta Imanaga last season that the Cubs couldn't trust him to pitch in a decisive postseason game against the Brewers. More than a few even questioned the team's decision to extend him the $22.025 million qualifying offer after choosing not to exercise his three-year, $57.75 million contract option. Imanaga declined his own chance to secure a one-year, $15.25 million option, but his poor performance and familiarity with Chicago led him to accept the QO."
"Everything seems to be working out even better than the most optimistic observers could have imagined, with Imanaga pitching better than ever through his first eight starts. His 2.28 ERA is 11th among qualified pitchers, and his 2.82 FIP is 13th, suggesting his results aren't just the product of good fortune. Imanaga's 28.3% strikeout rate is three points higher than during his first season in Chicago, putting him in the 84th percentile among his peers."
"His 32.8% whiff rate is nearly five points higher than in '24 and sits in the 91st percentile, while his 39.9% chase rate is up more than five points to put him in the 98th percentile* there. His walk rate is up as well, and by a much larger relative amount, but his 7% is still better than three-quarters of the league's pitchers. And that, my friends, is the key."
"The lefty is throwing fewer rulebook strikes, but he's getting more swings on those pitches that would otherwise be balls. That has led him to the most whiffs in baseball, with his 112 edging out Jacob Misiorowski (111) and Dylan Cecase (107). For Imanaga, making a mental adjustment was bigger than anything physical. After being coached his whole life to avoid walks, he struggled at times to adjust to MLB because he threw too many strikes."
Imanaga’s 2024 struggles led the Cubs to avoid trusting him in a decisive postseason game, and his qualifying offer extension drew skepticism. He declined a separate one-year option but accepted the qualifying offer to rebuild his value, while the Cubs benefited from the flexibility of a one-year deal. Early 2025 results have been strong, with a 2.28 ERA and a 2.82 FIP through his first eight starts. His strikeout rate, whiff rate, and chase rate have all risen substantially versus his earlier Chicago performance. His walk rate has increased, but remains better than most pitchers. The improvement is tied to throwing fewer rulebook strikes while generating more swings on pitches that would otherwise be balls, producing the most whiffs in baseball. The change is described as primarily mental, involving an adjustment after years of avoiding walks.
Read at Cubsinsider
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