Chicago Cubs
Shota Imanaga has thrown 5,493 pitches that have been tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2023 and 2026, including pitches thrown in the MLB Regular Season, The World Baseball Classic and Spring Training. In 2026, they have relied primarily on their Fourseam Fastball (92mph) and Splitter (84mph), also mixing in a Slider (82mph), Sinker (91mph) and Curve (75mph).
In 2026, compared to other LHP:
Their fourseam fastball generates more whiffs/swing compared to other pitchers' fourseamers, results in more flyballs compared to other pitchers' fourseamers and has essentially average velo. Their splitter has surprising cut action, generates more whiffs/swing compared to other pitchers' splitters, results in more flyballs compared to other pitchers' splitters and has some natural sink to it. Their slider generates an extremely high number of swings & misses compared to other pitchers' sliders, sweeps across the zone, generates a very high amount of groundballs compared to other pitchers' sliders and has some two-plane movement. Their sinker generates an extremely high number of swings & misses compared to other pitchers' sinkers and has some natural sinking action. Their curve has an exceptional bite, is an extreme flyball pitch compared to other pitchers' curves, generates fewer whiffs/swing compared to other pitchers' curves, has slight glove-side movement and has slightly below average velo.