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BALLER MOVE: Buy Shota Imanaga
ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga has settled in quite nicely in the MLB after pitching several seasons in the KBO. He currently has an amazing 0.78 ERA, which is the best among qualified starters, and a stellar 0.75 WHIP across 34 ⅔ innings.
The 30-year-old southpaw has flashed elite swing-and-miss upside with 35 strikeouts and a strong 26.5% K rate. His metrics support this notion. Imanaga has generated a 38.0% chase rate, which is one of the best in baseball, and an above-average 28.0% whiff rate.
Shōta Imanaga, Filthy 84mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/lV2Wi6eLY5
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2024
However, Imanaga is not generating many ground balls and has been hit quite hard at times. His 89.2 mph average exit velocity, combined with a low ground ball rate, could suggest that he may surrender more long balls as the weather warms up in the summer.
Nonetheless, while he will not be able to keep up this incredible stretch, with his elite strikeout potential, Imanaga should continue to be an above-average fantasy contributor for the foreseeable future. I would entertain selling Imanaga if a fellow league mate is willing to part ways with a solidified ace. However, in most cases, I would rather be on the side acquiring Imanaga, especially due to his strikeout upside.
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