A Promising Adjustment
Tatsuya Imai entered the United States with high expectations after signing with the Houston Astros, but his first few outings were marred by control issues that saw him issue 11 walks across his opening three starts.
However, the right‑hander has turned a corner, delivering two consecutive starts in which he fanned 21 batters while walking just one. The surge in strikeouts has lifted his recent earned‑run average and shifted the narrative around his adaptation to MLB.
Central to his recent success is a slider that exhibits an unusual trajectory, one that appears to defy conventional spin mechanics. The pitch has been effective against both right‑handed and left‑handed hitters, generating swings and misses that have translated into quick outs.
Astros pitching coach Ben Richter noted that the slider’s movement is still being refined, but the early results suggest that Imai is beginning to trust the offering in high‑leverage situations. The team remains cautious, emphasizing that a small sample size does not guarantee long‑term sustainability.
Nevertheless, the early signs are encouraging. If Imai can maintain his command while continuing to leverage the slider’s deceptive action, he could become a reliable back‑end starter for Houston as the season progresses.