BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 195
CURRENT ADP: ~205 overall
ANALYSIS: With Yoshinobu Yamamoto the real headline free agent from Japan, there hasn't been much fanfare around Imanaga. After signing with the Cubs in January, he now seems to be garnering plenty of interest. If we take a look at his arsenal and his numbers in NPB, it's easy to see why.
Year | G | IP | W | L | ERA | K | BB |
2016 | 22 | 135.1 | 8 | 9 | 2.93 | 136 | 38 |
2017 | 24 | 148.0 | 11 | 7 | 2.98 | 140 | 52 |
2018 | 23 | 84.2 | 4 | 11 | 6.80 | 80 | 38 |
2019 | 25 | 170.0 | 13 | 7 | 2.91 | 186 | 56 |
2020 | 9 | 53.0 | 5 | 3 | 3.23 | 63 | 17 |
2021 | 19 | 120.0 | 5 | 5 | 3.08 | 110 | 26 |
2022 | 21 | 143.2 | 11 | 4 | 2.26 | 132 | 29 |
2023 | 22 | 148.0 | 7 | 4 | 2.80 | 174 | 24 |
Career | 165 | 1,002.2 | 64 | 50 | 3.18 | 1021 | 280 |
The lefty throws a fastball that sits around 94-95 mph, a splitter, a slider, and a curveball. Providing they all play as well in the U.S. as they have done in Japan, he shouldn't have issues getting out right-handed hitters. His fastball also has a decent spin rate, averaging ~2,500 RPM. The MLB left-handed starters averaged ~2,200 RPM (credit to David Adler for those numbers).
Shōta Imanaga's 2Ks in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/J5dNniMSIt
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 8, 2024
Imanaga is 30 years old, so he still has a few years ahead of him. He hasn't been heavily worked considering some MLB workloads and there are plenty of positives from the last couple of seasons. His 174 Ks in 148.0 IP this past season certainly stands out. And walking only 24 hitters is equally impressive. With an ADP of ~205, Imanaga is going late enough that even with quite a bit of regression, he can still prove to be a fantasy valuable pitcher.
More Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers
Hector Neris - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds (Week 4)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 46% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With the removal of Adbert Alzolay from the closer role for the Cubs after a fourth blown save already in the early going of 2024, an opportunity was created for another reliever to take over the job. Hector Neris was called upon... Read More
Hunter Goodman - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 5)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Colorado Rockies have promoted first base/outfield prospect Hunter Goodman from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Infielder/outfielder Michael Toglia was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. It's been a massive start to the 2024 season for the 24-year-old who has slugged seven... Read More
Garrett Cleavinger - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Garrett Cleavinger recorded his second save in four days for the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to nail down the 7-5 victory over the Tigers. Cleavinger has been used as one of the team's closers ever since... Read More
Pete Crow-Armstrong - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Chicago Cubs have recalled center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa due to the rib fracture Cody Bellinger suffered while slamming into the outfield wall on Tuesday. It's the second recall in the young career of Crow-Armstrong after he debuted with a hitless... Read More
Yariel Rodriguez - Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add only in dynasty leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Toronto Blue Jays were thrilled to land Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to a five-year deal this offseason. They weren't the only club interested in his services after he showed immense potential while pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The 27-year-old posted a... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!