2 hours ago2 hr BATatsuya Imai, RHP BA Grade: 60 | Risk: Low | Adjusted: 60Born: May 9, 1998 | B-T: R-R | HT: 5-11 | WT: 154Track Record: After winning the 2016 Summer Koshien tournament with Sakushin Gakuin, Imai made the jump directly from high school to Japanese professional baseball. He was drafted by the Seibu Lions with their first pick and spent his debut season with their Eastern League affiliate, the equivalent of Japan’s minor leagues. He broke in with Seibu’s first team in 2018 and saw mixed results over his first three seasons. He established himself as one of the top pitchers in the NPB in 2021, earning his first all-star nod. Imai was an all-star twice more in 2024 and 2025 and finished in the top 10 among starters in ERA each of his final two seasons with Seibu. Imai helped combine for a Lions no-hitter on April 18, 2025, throwing the first eight innings. On Nov. 18, 2025, Seibu posted Imai to MLB teams. Scouting Report: Imai is an undersized righthander who’s explosive and mobile on the mound. His low three-quarters slot borders on sidearm and creates a unique approach angle to the plate that creates deception and keeps hitters off balance. Imai throws four pitches, but his primary mix consists of a four-seam fastball, slider and splitter. His four-seamer sits at 95-97 and touches 98-99 at peak with a flat plane of approach and heavy armside run. The fastball is particularly effective when located in the upper third and has been adept at generating swings and misses. Imai’s slider is his best pitch and his primary swing-and-miss weapon. It has a gyro shape, sits 85-87 and touches 88-89 with late downshift that creates unique armside movement. The combination of Imai’s low arm slot, above-average velocity and late armside break make his slider a unique offering. The splitter is Imai’s third pitch, and it features good vertical separation off his fastball and heavy armside run to work as a swing-and-miss pitch in opposite-handed matchups. Imai threw a curveball around 2% of the time in 2025, and it featured spin rates in the 2500-2600 rpm range along with around 8-9 inches of sweep. There’s a real possibility a team adds a sweeper to his arsenal. Imai struggled to throw strikes early in his career, but he has seen consistent gains in that department in each of the last four seasons. He now projects for average control. The Future: Imai is a ready-made No. 3 MLB starter who should make an impact immediately. Scouting Grades: FB: 55 | CB: 40 | SL: 60 | CH: 55 | CTL: 50
1 hour ago1 hr Fuck yeah! Looking forward to what kind of reaction I’ll get in Japan when I’m there in Nov with my Astros cap.
1 hour ago1 hr We definitely need to go to a 6 man (at least early in the season), because that's essentially what they have in Japan. We need Brown and Imai healthy all season.
1 hour ago1 hr We had to replace our HVAC unit last July and opted for a Daikin unit, I wanna say I'm doing my part in the Japanese baseball pipeline to Houston
1 hour ago1 hr 1 hour ago, Mez2 said:Don't forget Justin Verlander!I could go for some Ramen Tatsuya nowFuck Verlander for no other reason than his POS brother.
37 minutes ago37 min 1 hour ago, RGBIII said:I had heard 1+1 (mutual) for 15 and incentives up to 20 for JV but that was awhile ago and idk how good my info isIt’s dated now. That ain’t happening I wouldn’t think (unless we got a taker for Walker for no money which seems unlikely.
28 minutes ago28 min One year deal with a projected MLB ERA of 4.3. Meh, if he outperforms he’ll go elsewhere
18 minutes ago18 min Author 8 minutes ago, msbesq said:One year deal with a projected MLB ERA of 4.3. Meh, if he outperforms he’ll go elsewherewe can make him better !
9 minutes ago9 min Author astros analytics will improve his pitch selectionsurly thread will remind him he's worthless
1 minute ago1 min Author per ari alexander ....A little more specifically what I was told regarding Astros and Asia at Winter Meetings:They beefed up Asia/Pacific Rim scouting - adding and/or moving 3-4 scouts.They are looking at Korean and Japanese amateurs more closely.They were targeting SPs from Asia - and target acquired with Imai.Jim Crane has been pleased with his partnership with Daikin and thought having high level Japanese players would be a positive marketing-wise.
Just now1 min 8 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:astros analytics will improve his pitch selectionsurly thread will remind him he's worthlessWill? Shit, two posts above you he is already considered a questionable signing.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.