Tatsuya Imai signs with Astros

fyi: Heyman says the base salary is $18M, goes up by $1M when he hits each of 80, 90, and 100 IP.

 

I don’t know much about him. Averaged 95 on his fastball. Throws a deceptive slider. Here’s an article that compares him to Luis Castillo, Max Scherzer, Joe Ryan, Trey Yesavage and Paul Skenes. https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/mlb-comparisons-for-tatsuya-imai.html

 

Scouts and analysts compare him to high-level big-leaguers. MLB.com noted that Imai’s low arm slot and pitch mix (mid-90s fastball, hard slider, plus changeup) closely resemble Luis Castillo of the Mariners . His emphasis on high-zone four-seamers from a low release is very much like Max Scherzer’s strategy , and his fastball’s vertical movement is likened to Twins’ Joe Ryan . Those comparisons imply a high ceiling: if his stuff translates, he could be an above-average #2/#3 starter or better.

 

The guy who said he wants to join a team and help them take down the Dodgers. Not be the one who joins them.

So excited to have a Japanese player to cheer for. Sucks about the opt outs. But hopefully he likes it in Houston and opts out but signs a new deal with them.

 

lock pls

 

didn't see existing thread

 

Oops, didn't see this thread. Clearly I've been away for a bit.

This is a great boost to the rotation. If Framber comes back, the Astros suddenly have a formidable top 3. That is, if Framber finds a way to get out of his own head once again.

 

There's nothing to talk about in my niche... until a couple of weeks from now when the new international free agent signing period opens up, I guess

 

Dangerous contract...

Opt out after every year... so we really get 1 year of him if he's great and 3 years of him if he's terrible.

It's a decent gamble as a stop gap... better chance he opts out after great rookie year a d someone throws 150+ million at him.

My guess is boras did this deal knowing he's getting paid big after one proven year and still giving him excellent money if he fails.

 

Wow look at the Astros!

 

Comp is somewhere between Randy Johnson and Mike Fiers. Still checking

 

So- we got our number 2. No JV probably now. Go get Brendon Donovan for something like like Matthews, Cole and one of Baugh, Arrighetti and Ullola and let’s go.
Diaz, backup, Walker, Altuve, Pena, Correa, Paredes. Yordan, Donovan, meyers, smith, Dezenzo, modern Adam Everett.
Trade Sanchez for salary relief.

 

Im for betting on a walker bounce back and trading pena for a Tucker like haul

 

From deep research:

“

Why the Astros matter

specifically

for Tatsuya Imai




1. Houston’s pitching DNA: spin efficiency + vertical approach angle (VAA)



For nearly a decade, Houston has been elite at:

• Optimizing spin efficiency (not just raw spin rate)
• Teaching pitchers how to shape fastballs for vertical carry
• Pairing high fastballs with gyro/tilt sliders that tunnel

This started under Brent Strom and continued even after he left, which is the key point people miss.


What this means for Imai

• Imai already throws a high fastball from a low slot
• That’s exactly the profile Houston historically maximizes
• If they can tighten spin efficiency by even 2–4%, his fastball:
  • “plays” harder than the radar gun
  • misses barrels even when velocity is unchanged

This is the same reason Astros fastballs consistently outperform league averages despite not always being the hardest.

 

LFG So stoked on this! Was hoping the Astros would tap into the Japanese pipeline. And Would also love to see more Astros rep when i go back lol

 

GREAT signing!

Yusei mentored Imai....and now he's here. No coincidence.

Tailor made for us. He can be an ace under our gurus.

 

This is a great addition for 2026 if he is as good as advertised. Might only be a one-year deal if he shows ToR potential, but still a solid move from Dana