Shōta Imanaga Bio
Shōta Imanaga (今永 昇太, Imanaga Shōta; born September 1, 1993) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed “The Throwing Philosopher,” he previously played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2016 to 2023. Imanaga is a two-time NPB All-Star and led the Central League in strikeouts in 2023 before signing with the Cubs during the 2023–24 offseason. In his first MLB season, he earned All-Star honors while establishing himself as one of baseball’s most precise pitchers.
Early Life and Background
Imanaga was born on September 1, 1993, in Japan. He attended Komazawa University, where he developed his skills as a left-handed pitcher. His collegiate career positioned him as a promising prospect in Japanese baseball, attracting attention from professional teams seeking young talent with strong fundamentals and command.
During his university years, Imanaga honed a pitching approach that emphasized precision and pitchability over pure velocity. This philosophy would later become a defining characteristic of his professional career, earning him his distinctive nickname and establishing his reputation as a cerebral pitcher capable of outthinking opposing hitters.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars selected Imanaga in the first round of the 2015 NPB draft, recognizing his potential as a polished collegiate pitcher with advanced command of multiple pitch types. This selection marked his official entry into professional baseball, setting the stage for his development within one of Japan’s top minor league systems.
Prior to fully committing to his NPB career, Imanaga gained valuable international experience by playing for the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League during the 2018–19 season. In six starts for the Cavalry, he posted a 4–0 win-loss record with a league-best 0.51 earned run average over 35 innings pitched, recording 57 strikeouts against just one walk. His performance broke league records for WHIP (0.429), hits allowed per nine innings (3.6), and walks per nine innings (0.3), demonstrating dominant command at an international level.
Shōta Imanaga Career
Yokohama DeNA BayStars (2016–2023)
Imanaga began his professional career with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in 2016, steadily establishing himself as a reliable member of the starting rotation. Over his eight seasons with the team, he compiled a 64–50 win-loss record with a 3.18 earned run average and 1,021 strikeouts, demonstrating consistent excellence and durability as a workhorse pitcher.
His 2019 season represented a breakthrough, as Imanaga went 13–7 with a 2.91 earned run average, finishing second in both wins and strikeouts in the Central League behind Shun Yamaguchi. This performance earned him his first NPB All-Star selection, validating his status as one of the league’s top pitchers and foreshadowing his future dominance.
On June 7, 2022, Imanaga achieved a career milestone by pitching a no-hitter against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He struck out nine batters and allowed one walk over 117 pitches, showcasing his ability to maintain focus and command through a压力-filled performance. This no-hitter solidified his reputation as an elite pitcher capable of delivering in marquee moments.
Chicago Cubs Breakthrough (2024–Present)
On September 6, 2023, Yokohama announced that they would post Imanaga to Major League Baseball, opening the door for him to pursue an MLB career. On January 11, 2024, he signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Chicago Cubs that also contained a fifth-year option. The Cubs also paid a $9.825 million release fee to the BayStars, reflecting their confidence in his abilities.
Imanaga made his Cubs debut on April 1, 2024, pitching six shutout innings while allowing just two hits and recording nine strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Through his first nine MLB starts, he compiled a 5–0 record with a 0.84 earned run average, which led the league at that time. His exceptional performance earned him a selection to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game in his rookie season.
On September 4, 2024, Imanaga delivered the first seven innings of a combined no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, leading the Cubs to a 12–0 victory. Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge each pitched one inning to complete the no-hitter. This marked the 18th no-hitter in Cubs franchise history and the first combined no-hitter. It was also the first no-hitter thrown at Wrigley Field since Milt Pappas accomplished the feat on September 2, 1972.
Imanaga started for the Cubs on Opening Day in 2025 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB Tokyo Series. He pitched four scoreless innings, allowing zero hits and striking out two batters, though he did not factor into the decision as the Cubs fell to the Dodgers. He made 25 starts for Chicago that season, posting a 9–8 record with a 3.73 earned run average and 117 strikeouts across 144⅔ innings pitched. On November 4, 2025, the Cubs declined his three-year club option, making Imanaga a free agent. However, on November 18, he accepted a $22 million qualifying offer to remain with the Cubs for another season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Imanaga stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) and weighs 175 pounds (79 kilograms). He throws from a three-quarters arm angle and features a fastball averaging nearly 92 miles per hour, reaching up to 96 mph. His arsenal also includes a changeup, curveball, and slider. Rather than relying on overpowering velocity, Imanaga succeeds through exceptional command, pitch sequencing, and the effectiveness of his changeup, which disrupts opposing hitters’ timing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Imanaga’s no-hitter in June 2022 with the BayStars stands as a defining moment, as does his combined no-hitter with the Cubs in September 2024. His selection as the 2024 MLB All-Star in his rookie season, combined with leading the Central League in strikeouts in 2023, demonstrates his ability to perform at the highest levels of both Japanese and American baseball. His passionate international fan base, including the “Shota Boys” group of enthusiastic supporters in Wrigley Field’s bleachers, reflects his growing cultural impact beyond the diamond.
Shōta Imanaga Career Wins
Across his NPB and MLB career, Imanaga has established himself as a durable and productive pitcher with consistent winning records at each level.
MLB Highlights
Through June 10, 2026, Imanaga has compiled a 28–17 win-loss record with a 3.52 earned run average and 372 strikeouts across his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs. His 2024 rookie season was particularly impressive, as he earned All-Star honors while establishing himself as a key component of Chicago’s rotation. His combined no-hitter in September 2024 added another historic achievement to his MLB portfolio.
NPB Highlights
During his eight seasons with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, Imanaga went 64–50 with a 3.18 earned run average and 1,021 strikeouts. His standout campaign came in 2023 when he led the Central League in strikeouts, earning his second All-Star selection. His no-hitter on June 7, 2022, remains one of the most memorable individual performances of his NPB career.
| Competition | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPB (2016–2023) | 64 | 50 | 3.18 | 1,021 |
| MLB (2024–2026) | 28 | 17 | 3.52 | 372 |
Shōta Imanaga Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Imanaga’s family background, including his parents, are not extensively documented in publicly available sources. He maintains a private personal life away from the baseball field.
Personal Life
Imanaga is known for his thoughtful and philosophical approach to baseball, which inspired his nickname “The Throwing Philosopher.” When asked about the origin of this moniker, he explained through an interpreter that his personality tends to make even simple statements sound sophisticated. He has described himself as someone constantly seeking improvement, stating at a press conference that he is “by no means a finished product” and believes his dedication to daily learning earned him the nickname.
Another lighthearted aspect of Imanaga’s personality involves the nickname “Mike.” Unable to pronounce his Japanese name, baristas at Starbucks began calling him “Mike,” which he eventually adopted as his own. He changed his locker nameplate to read “Mike Imanaga II,” explaining that the “II” suffix “just sounds cool.” When asked about pitching in New York for the first time, Imanaga quipped through an interpreter that the hotel view reminded him of scenes from Spider-Man.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Imanaga’s second full campaign with the Chicago Cubs. After starting on Opening Day in the MLB Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he pitched four scoreless innings, he continued to serve as a reliable mid-rotation starter throughout the season. His 25 starts resulted in a 9–8 record with a 3.73 earned run average and 117 strikeouts across 144⅔ innings pitched.
While his win-loss record was not as stellar as his rookie season, Imanaga demonstrated consistency and durability that the Cubs valued. His ability to work deep into games and limit damage kept him in the rotation despite offensive fluctuations from his team. The Cubs’ decision to extend him a qualifying offer reflected their belief in his long-term value to the organization.
Following the season, Imanaga accepted the $22 million qualifying offer to remain with the Cubs, ensuring he would stay in Chicago for at least another year. This decision signaled his commitment to building on his early MLB success and establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Cubs’ pitching staff for seasons to come.