5 things to know about new Cubs pitcher Shōta Imanaga

1. He's no Shohei … or Yoshinobu Yamamoto, for that matter. But he does boast similar stats from his eight-year career in the Nippon Professional Baseball League, where he averaged a strikeout per inning!

• In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he started for Japan against the U.S. in the championship game.

Yes, but: Insiders are worried he won't have success in the MLB because Japanese baseballs are different.

2. He's older. At 30 years old, he's already older than most rookies in the league. He's also 5' 10" and weighs 176 pounds.

What to watch: The left-hander is known for a dramatic "paused leg lift" that keep batters off balance.

3. He has an awesome nickname: The Throwing Philosopher. He reportedly earned the name from doing unique interviews in Japan.

4. He most recently played for the Yokohama BayStars, who play in one of the smallest stadiums in the entire league. Opposing teams hit a lot of home-runs there, but Shota still excelled.

• He may feel right at home at the Friendly Confines.

5. He'll be the 10th Japanese player to play for the Cubs.

Of note: The Cubs connection is also deep in the NPB League. One of the biggest home run hitters in league history? Tuffy Rhodes.