Cubs’ Shota Imanaga Unveils the Power of Rotational Spin Pitching Technique

The highlight is from (2) to (3).

He “sinks his body down and smoothly transfers his weight from his left leg to his right leg. What amazes me is that the line of both shoulders is parallel to the ground all the way down without blurring. Normally, the right shoulder would be thrust forward, but this is probably due to the stable starting position of his pitching form. In (3), the left hand holding the ball is in the direction of the back because the body remains toward second base. From the batter’s point of view, it is difficult to hit the ball because he cannot see it easily.”

In ④, the lateral twist of the body adds power to the ball.

By rotating the hips widely, the entire body is gaining momentum. He steps his right leg firmly in the direction of the batter and throws a ball with good spin. This is a rare type of pitching in the U.S., and even the best hitters in the Majors have had trouble with balls that float high and strike out. If I had to name a pitcher who is similar, it would be Hader, the Astros’ guardian and sidearm thrower who boasts an astonishing strikeout rate (about 15 per nine innings).

The finish line (5) shows the problem.

The body is bent in an inverted “U” shape, and the buttocks are left at second base. It is not a smooth movement, and it is not good for the shoulders and elbows. Imanaga has been prone to breakdowns since he was in Japan, and he has had only a few seasons of success throughout the year. He needs to work on modifying his form to be less stressful on his body. On the other hand, as long as he doesn’t get injured, he can definitely play in the Majors. He should be able to win 15 games a year.

After the game against the Mariners, in which he earned his second win, Imanaga regretted giving up his first walk of the season and said, “I should be thankful that I can reflect on this after winning. The “pitching philosopher,” who is always thinking, has come up with a “rotational spin pitching technique” to toy with the best hitters in the Majors.

From the May 3, 2024 issue of FRIDAY