Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai has goal against Shohei Ohtani

"The Los Angeles Dodgers will have plenty of opponents aiming for them next season after a second consecutive World Series title, and current free-agent starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai figures to be one of them. The star Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) pitcher has yet to choose his new home in MLB after being posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions on Nov. 19. While the Dodgers have been speculated as a potential landing spot for the right-hander, he'd prefer to compete against the back-to-back World Series champs."

"Imai did not make his NPB debut until 2018, which was the same year Ohtani left Japan for his rookie season in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels. Imai first appeared in the NPB's Minor Leagues in 2017, throwing 15.1 innings across seven appearances. He made at least one start in the Minors every season from 2018-2023. The right-hander had a breakout season in 2023, with a 2.30 ERA in 133 innings and 130 strikeouts."

"Ohtani should have a favorable matchup against Imai in the event they face each other in the Majors next season. Being able to handle high velocity fastballs up in the zone is what allowed Ohtani to take his offensive game to another level since 2022. Against four-seam fastballs 95 mph or higher, the left-hander had a .257 batting average, .459 slugging percentage and .780 on-base-plus-slugging in 2022."

Tatsuya Imai is a free-agent right-handed starter from Nippon Professional Baseball who was posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions on Nov. 19 and has not yet chosen a Major League destination. He said he wants to face Shohei Ohtani to test how his fastball holds up against elite hitters. Imai debuted in NPB in 2018 after pitching in the minors in 2017 and made at least one minor-league start each season from 2018–2023. He produced breakout seasons in 2023 and 2024 and concluded his NPB career with a 3.15 ERA and 907 strikeouts in 963.2 innings. Ohtani's demonstrated ability to handle high-velocity four-seam fastballs suggests Ohtani would likely hold a favorable matchup if they meet in MLB.

Read at Dodger Blue