Finally someone is pointing out. It's his short height (low release point) multiplied by high spin rate which creates more angled elevation. It's physics.
It's the angle Shota's fastball comes in. The backspin makes it appear to rise and most hitters swing under it. The plane of his fastball is 'higher' than the swing plane of most opponents..this is why most people swing under or foul it back. With a few exceptions, most hitters will have issues adjusting because they can't simply change their swing plane on the fly.
@@SetupManCubs Here in Japan, hitters are told to swing down on the ball, in order to achieve a level swing. That is from childhood into high school and further up. If you have an uppercut swing, you would be corrected. Although things are changing.
@@nofurtherwest3474 Perhaps, but that was not my point. It means you will not be always corrected even if you are doing something fundamentally different from others.
I say because of where he release the ball. Because he released them at low altitude, hitters can’t tell if the ball is going to rise or dip. By the time they see the ball screaming in, it’s too late and they swung at pitch 6 inches over the strike zone. Taller pitcher release high and 9 out of 10 the batters can see it and predict where the ball will ends up.
Thanks for the terrific and educational analysis, Kyle! Your last question is the one I was going to ask: if and when will batters adjust to his fastball?
Great breakdown. I fully expect the league to adjust and there is no way Shōta can keep up the pace he's on, but he's still going to be a Cy Young candidate by years end.
All mentioned above about the meaning of SHO-TA is very true, and additionally his family name “IMA” means “now” while “NAGA” does “forever” so he is beloved by Cubs fans as seasons pass for long time with this happy contract in your beautifully vined traditional ball park.🎉
7:50 not really a fair comparison because the catcher overlay is on a totally different level, even though the rubber is on the same level. It must have been a slightly different camera angle.
There have to be some adjustments, but I think the only way for the league to do that is to stop swinging at the fastball above the belt. Even then, he will get called strikes and the splitter is still dirty
I think if the hitters sre finally able to adjust to Shota's fastball and they have a special gameplan for him, if they are able to hit him hard becauw they trained to face against him they will be in toruble against the pen because it is so hard to change your hitting mindset just like that. Also, Shota is a pitching philosopher meaning he studies and make adjustmwnts as thw game goes on so if he know the hitter's plan then he makes adjustents to counter that. It's like playing chess with the hitter.
No offense, I appreciate the content a lot, but I don't think the red line is the best means of comparison here. Hard to visualize the difference, for me, atleast.
I would think if you could find something that showed the vertical drop value in inches as the pitch progressed. I am pretty sure I’ve seen that with someone’s analysis… I might be making that up, though, or possibly it was a big network with really expensive tools.
Also possibly finding a short lefty to tunnel with. As you allude to in the video, it’s apples to oranges comparing shota with someone like Kyle Hendricks.
Watch my entire interview with Ted Lilly as he breaks down Shota: ua-cam.com/video/RNCek0N4tFk/v-deo.html
I fell in love with him after his great introduction. His pitching and emotions on the mound is even more awesome! Thank you for this video.❤
You did it!
Imanaga currently has one of the best ERAs in the majors, and is achieving great results☺️
Whats with people like you and stating the obvious like its some kind of achievement.
Finally someone is pointing out.
It's his short height (low release point) multiplied by high spin rate which creates more angled elevation. It's physics.
🙌🏻
Darn, I was hoping it was magic
Thanks for the show Kyle! It is very informative and insightful.
Always a pleasure, Everrett!
It's the angle Shota's fastball comes in. The backspin makes it appear to rise and most hitters swing under it.
The plane of his fastball is 'higher' than the swing plane of most opponents..this is why most people swing under or foul it back.
With a few exceptions, most hitters will have issues adjusting because they can't simply change their swing plane on the fly.
Yup! I think it’s a big difference between the NPB and MLB.
@@SetupManCubs Here in Japan, hitters are told to swing down on the ball, in order to achieve a level swing. That is from childhood into high school and further up. If you have an uppercut swing, you would be corrected. Although things are changing.
@@wilburwood8261 and I think that’s one of the major reasons he’s having great success in MLB vs NPB. Perfect formula for him
@@wilburwood8261interesting. You say things are changing, meaning they will begin to swing more uppercut?
@@nofurtherwest3474 Perhaps, but that was not my point.
It means you will not be always corrected even if you are doing something fundamentally different from others.
I say because of where he release the ball. Because he released them at low altitude, hitters can’t tell if the ball is going to rise or dip. By the time they see the ball screaming in, it’s too late and they swung at pitch 6 inches over the strike zone. Taller pitcher release high and 9 out of 10 the batters can see it and predict where the ball will ends up.
Shota Rising!
🙌🏻
from the Land of the Rising Sun
ありがとうございます。これからもよろしくお願いします🙇。
🙌🏻
Shota is that you?
Thanks for the terrific and educational analysis, Kyle! Your last question is the one I was going to ask: if and when will batters adjust to his fastball?
I hope they won’t! And thanks for watching!
Amazing analyses on Shota's pitching!! (Special thanks from a Japanese fan)
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
It's an excellent scientific analysis! Thank you!!
Thanks for watching!
You earned a new subscriber out of me today. Phenomenal breakdown, brother! Go Cubs!
Thanks man! Means a lot
Great breakdown. I fully expect the league to adjust and there is no way Shōta can keep up the pace he's on, but he's still going to be a Cy Young candidate by years end.
I don’t think he can keep an under 1.00 ERA pace, but based on the bat path of most guys, I don’t think they will adjust very well.
GReat breakdown and analaysis. I've learned so much about pitching from your vids!
Thanks! Glad you liked it
Cubs getting shota at the price they paid feels like a steal.
He also has opened the door for Japanese pitchers who may have been over looked in the past by MLB scouts
@@JarrodFLif3rdid the dodgers misclick the wrong Japanese pitcher?
@@alexsamain812 I for one, wanted Shota far more than Yoshi.
Dude. Shota can go back to Japan tomorrow and he would still need worth the price 😂
Amazing breakdown!
Thank you!
loved the breakdown kyle!!
Thank you! Glad you liked it
He hides the ball pretty well, so the hitters feel like the ball shows up surprisingly.
The Rising Dragon Fastball
Marathon Watching 5/20/24 Shota has been lights out. A great addition. I’ve gotta watch the Lilly video. ❤❤❤
Keep up the marathon ;)
With the uppercut most major leaguers swing with nowadays, any rising pitch is going to be extremely funky to hit
Bc now instead of meeting the ball path, you're chasing it and that's extremely hard to hit square
great analysis
You know shota昇太 name mean.Sho 昇 kanji is rise. Ｔa 太 kanji is man or boy.Shota 昇太is rising boy. ❢🎉❤From Japanese Cub's fan.
Is that true?! If so, amazing!
@@SetupManCubs Can confirm. The "Ta" can also mean "very large/vast" as well, so Shota's name can mean "Huge Rise" as well LOL.
All mentioned above about the meaning of SHO-TA is very true, and additionally his family name “IMA” means “now” while “NAGA” does “forever” so he is beloved by Cubs fans as seasons pass for long time with this happy contract in your beautifully vined traditional ball park.🎉
7:50 not really a fair comparison because the catcher overlay is on a totally different level, even though the rubber is on the same level. It must have been a slightly different camera angle.
I wonder if this is something people will be able to learn to hit eventually. Cant imagine he will be doing this to people forever
There have to be some adjustments, but I think the only way for the league to do that is to stop swinging at the fastball above the belt. Even then, he will get called strikes and the splitter is still dirty
I think if the hitters sre finally able to adjust to Shota's fastball and they have a special gameplan for him, if they are able to hit him hard becauw they trained to face against him they will be in toruble against the pen because it is so hard to change your hitting mindset just like that.
Also, Shota is a pitching philosopher meaning he studies and make adjustmwnts as thw game goes on so if he know the hitter's plan then he makes adjustents to counter that. It's like playing chess with the hitter.
Like Counsell said, he can adjust very quickly
Sho time 😂
ahhh yeahhh
Ha ha 😂😮😢🎉😅
92 mph feels like 102 mph, pure class
If he pitched that way in NPB, his contract amount with MLB must have been much higher. My concern is injuries considering the record during NPB.
He’s good
it could happen. Shota being a 2-pitch pitcher in MLB. Rivera was a 1-pitch pitcher (cutter)...i hope he develops a 2-seam change-up.
Starter vs closer - huge difference.
Apparently being a short pitchers is an advantage now
When he starts vs the Dodgers, the anthem should be sung by Soshana Bean.
Now beat the Braves!
Yes please!
Goro Shigeno IRL😄
If it wasn't for Shota and Assad the Cubs would be in last place
Who needs an Ohtani when we got a Shota!!
Ahhhh yeahhhhh
More teams will likely gamble on Japanese talents after the Shota Success
💯
seems American pitching is purely about speed with no craft to it anymore.
Shota Imanaga is the real Eijun Sawamara
His fastball movement is what Bauer used the spider tac for, to get the Cy Young.
Funny enough, Shota Imanaga was the ace of the japanese team Trevor Bauer was playing on(DeNA baystars)
You mean like most of the other pitchers during this time?
Sawamura Eijun in real life. Slower, but rising fastball and he is left handed.
So basically the only time in life being short is good for you. Compress me, Scotty
😂😂
We short folk have no issues flying . Tall folks be struggling in airplane rides😂
No offense, I appreciate the content a lot, but I don't think the red line is the best means of comparison here. Hard to visualize the difference, for me, atleast.
What would have been better?
I would think if you could find something that showed the vertical drop value in inches as the pitch progressed. I am pretty sure I’ve seen that with someone’s analysis… I might be making that up, though, or possibly it was a big network with really expensive tools.
Also possibly finding a short lefty to tunnel with. As you allude to in the video, it’s apples to oranges comparing shota with someone like Kyle Hendricks.
u still need that command.
Not a cubs fan but if this guy pitches against your team, just skip the ballpark.
"expected" anything is stupid. stop it.