Tatsuya Imai, a 28‑year‑old right‑hander in the majors, has become a focal point of the latest Statcast deep‑dive, which dissects every facet of his 2026 workload.
A Six‑Pitch Arsenal
Imai leans on six distinct offerings — slider, four‑seam fastball, sinker, changeup, split‑finger, and curveball — each contributing to a complex sequencing strategy.
The slider accounts for 44.5% of his total pitches and generates roughly one run of value per 100 throws, while the four‑seam fastball, used 41.8% of the time, delivers a modest 0.1 run value per 100 pitches.
His sinker, though less frequent at 7.9%, still produces a positive 2.0 run value per 100 pitches, whereas the changeup, used only 3.4% of the time, actually subtracts 13.9 runs per 100 pitches, underscoring its role as a surprise weapon.
The curveball, a rare 0.8% usage, still manages a 4.7 run value per 100 pitches, illustrating how even marginal offerings can be effective when timed correctly.
How His Pitches Stack Up Against the League
Statcast shows that Imai’s pitches travel faster and at steeper launch angles than the average MLB offering, resulting in higher exit velocities and barrel rates.
Consequently, his expected batting averages, slugging percentages and weak‑hit metrics all exceed league norms, while his walk rate remains below average.
The data also reveals elevated chase percentages, whiff rates and meatball swing rates, indicating that hitters are frequently fooled by the movement and timing of his repertoire.
Ground‑ball and fly‑ball tendencies are both above average, yet his solid contact and barrel percentages remain high, suggesting that when contact is made, it often yields extra bases.
Run value and leveraged run value for each pitch type also outpace the norm, reinforcing the notion that Imai’s mix is not only diverse but also highly effective in generating outs and limiting damage.
Looking Ahead
With a pitch tempo that keeps opponents off balance and a distribution that spreads usage across his six weapons, Imai is positioned to remain a potent threat in the upcoming season.
The combination of high chase rates, low walk percentages and strong expected home‑run metrics suggests that his performance could translate into a reliable backend starter role, or even a bridge to higher‑leverage situations, depending on managerial needs.