Chicago Cubs
Shota Imanaga has thrown 7,571 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 (83mph), also mixing in a Slider (81mph) and Sinker (90mph). He also rarely throws a Curve (74mph), Cutter (87mph) and Change (83mph).
In 2026, compared to other LHP:
Their fourseam fastball has essentially average velo and results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers' fourseamers. Their splitter results in more flyballs compared to other pitchers' splitters and has some natural sink to it. Their slider sweeps across the zone, results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers' sliders and has some two-plane movement. Their sinker generates more whiffs/swing compared to other pitchers' sinkers, results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers' sinkers and has some natural sinking action. Their curve has an exceptional bite, is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers' curves, results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers' curves, has slight glove-side movement and has slightly below average velo. Their cutter has extreme cut action, generates a high number of swings & misses compared to other pitchers' cutters, results in somewhat more groundballs compared to other pitchers' cutters and has some natural sink. Their change (take this with a grain of salt because they've only thrown 1 of them in 2026) is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers' changeups, has surprising cut action, is an extreme flyball pitch compared to other pitchers' changeups and has some natural sink to it.