"Shota Imanaga is here to kick a**" - Cubs' Jameson Taillon full of praise for Shohei Ohtani's compatriot
Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga had a great first MLB season. He started 29 games, compiling a 15-3 record with a 2.91 ERA over the course of 173.1 innings of work.
He was more than effective for the Cubbies and was an exciting pitcher to watch. Imanaga showed his emotions on the mound, pounding his chest and firing up his club after huge strikeouts.
The addition of Imanaga this season stabilized the starting rotation. Jameson Taillon discussed just how impressed he was with the hard-throwing lefty during a recent airing of the Chris Rose Rotation.
"He's a huge pitching nerd. Like, the way he is always doing dry throws and feels and asking me questions about your delivery and what they teach in America even as a kid versus what they teach there. Like, I loved playing with him," said Taillon.
Taillon noted that Imanaga is always thinking about the game and ways that he can improve. That is impressive given his age, and how he had a pretty solid career in Japan.
"He's this fun, light-hearted guy but also like, he's here to kick some a** and he would go out there on a start day and be dialed," said Taillon.
Jameson Taillon was not stunned by Shota Imanaga's success with the Cubs
Many people were surprised by just how successful Shota Imanaga was in his first season with the Cubs. With players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto as free agents last offseason, not many were paying attention to Imanaga.
Jameson Taillon was not one of those people surprised by Imanaga's elite nature. He instantly knew his team had somebody special after watching him throw a few times.
"He's got a ton of pitch ability and good command, so I'm not shocked but, like to the level of the success and the cool thing too is like it's not like we were protecting him . He was out there pitching big games in big environments" said Taillon.
Imanaga will look to carry his momentum into next season, and help his club reach the postseason. They looked like contenders until they fizzled out late into the regular season.
If the Cubbies want to make the postseason next year, they will have to add some pieces this winter. While they have their ace for the future, they need some more sources of power in the lineup.