There have been many outstanding starts to a MLB career in the league’s long history. There haven’t been many better than the Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga’s historic start to the 2024 season.
Through the first nine starts to his MLB career, Imanaga has thrown 53.2 innings, has accumulated 58 strikeouts and has a 0.84 ERA — the lowest mark through a player’s first nine starts since ERA became a statistic in 1913.
The previous low through nine starts was Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Fernando Valenzuela’s 0.91 ERA in 1981. Accordingly, Valenzuela completed that season with a 2.48 ERA over 25 starts and won the National League Rookie of the Year, the NL Cy Young and placed fifth in NL MVP voting.
Imanaga has allowed two runs or less in each of his nine starts to begin the 2024 campaign. Most notably, Imanaga has surrendered zero earned runs in six of his nine starts. Through the 53.2 innings pitched, Imanaga has only allowed five earned runs in his short career.
Additionally, he has pitched against some of the best offenses in baseball. Some of his opponents include the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres — both top-six in runs scored so far this season.
Imanaga competed against the Atlanta Braves, one of the NL’s top teams, on May 13 and threw five scoreless innings.
Imanaga has made many hitters look clueless to start his career. Over his past five starts, Imanaga has induced 84 swinging strikes.
The Cubs are 26-21 and second place in the NL Central. Much of the team’s early-season success is because of Imanaga. In his nine starts, Imanaga has the highest winning percentage (5-0, 1.000). The Cubs have won eight of his first nine starts. Furthermore, Imanaga leads MLB in both ERA and FIP.
The Throwing Philosopher has combined with a lethal splitter and fastball — the most valuable pitch in baseball so far this season.
Even the most daunting weakness up to this point in his career, his high home run totals, haven’t been an issue to start the 2024 campaign. Imanaga has a 0.9 HR/9 in his nine-year professional career that includes eight years playing Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). In 2024, he has only allowed three home runs, which translates to a 0.5 HR/9.
Imanaga’s historic start has made him one of baseball’s most valuable players in his rookie campaign.
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