Shota Imanaga

Shota Imanaga (born September 1, 1993, in Kitakyushu, Japan) is a left-handed starting pitcher who wears No. 18 and made his MLB debut on April 1, 2024. This Shota Imanaga MLB Profile centers on his early MLB production and pitch metrics. In the 2024 regular season, Imanaga logged 29 starts and 173.1 innings with a 2.908 ERA, 15–3 record, and 3.040 WAR. His underlying indicators included a 3.719 FIP, 6.21 K/BB ratio, and 9.036 K/9. He limited baserunners with a 1.021 WHIP while allowing a .225 opponent batting average, and he recorded 19 quality starts. His batted-ball profile showed a 1.13 GB/FB ratio. Imanaga’s 2025 regular-season line included 25 starts and 144.2 innings with a 3.733 ERA, 0.989 WHIP, and 0.888 WAR. Opponents hit .218 against him, and he produced a 4.50 K/BB with 7.279 K/9. Early 2026 Shota Imanaga stats (6 starts, 34.1 innings) show a 3.146 ERA, 0.874 WHIP, 9.961 K/9, 2.835 FIP, and 4.22 K/BB. Pitch tracking lists a four-seam fastball averaging about 92 mph, supported by a splitter and a sweeper with high whiff rates. He also has international experience, appearing for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.