He is polarizing. I have seen a good amount of him and he has the stuff to be pretty good, and he doesn’t lack for confidence. He loses a little bit of movement when he amps it up, but he can get up to 99 and supposedly over 100 when throwing pen sessions. I like him, I think that his lack of size and build is being held against him. He has big balls. I know that when the Winter started they didn’t think he was an option. So I am really happy with this signing - even with the risk. Also the Astros really think they can work on his slider - get him to throw it more like a cutter at a higher velocity.
With what little I have seen of him he reminds me of a right handed Mike Hampton. Just talking delivery/appearance not actual pitches.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46994593/2025-26-mlb-offseason-grades-free-agency-trade-analysis Astros add Japanese ace Imai The deal: Three years, $63 million with opt-outs after each season Grade: B+ The Astros made the first transaction splash of the new year, agreeing to a deal with Japanese righty Tatsuya Imai one day before his posting window would have closed. Imai's free agency generated precious few concrete rumors, and while Imai fills a rotation need for Houston, the dollar amounts involved make this at least a mild surprise. It also almost certainly closes the door on a possible return for longtime Astros lefty Framber Valdez. Imai projects as a midrotation starter in the majors, per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. For context, McDaniel writes, "think an ERA in the mid-3.00s," which is actually a little better than Imai's translated statistics from Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League (3.88 ERA over the past two seasons, per ClayDavenport.com) and his initial projections in the Steamer system at FanGraphs (4.29 ERA/4.22 FIP). If we split the differences in all that and go with a 3.90 ERA for Imai's baseline, it would slot him at 93rd among the 279 starters who have made at least 15 total starts over the past three seasons. That figure, coincidentally, ties him with the career ERA compiled by recent Houston acquisition Mike Burrows. But while Burrows put up that number over just 99⅓ innings, Imai has established himself as one of the more durable starters in the NPB, ranking fourth and fifth in the Pacific League over the past two seasons in innings pitched. That record of durability and consistency, combined with Houston's organizational track record in working with acquired pitchers, make this a relatively low-risk move with a good bit of upside given Imai's league-best strikeout totals over the past couple of seasons. Though undersized (5-foot-11), Imai's four-seamer "sits at 93-97 mph and hits 99," McDaniel writes, and his arsenal includes above-average splitters and sliders. While Imai's contract pushes the Astros' payroll outlook into the CBT neighborhood, the maximum $63 million payout should he stay for all three years is considerably lower than many pre-free agency projections. That made this too good a deal for the Astros to pass up. With Imai and Burrows joining the returning trio of Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr., the Astros' primary rotation looks good enough to keep them in contention for another year -- provided the Imai/Burrows combination replaces Valdez's lost production and more. The key question: How aggressive will the Astros remain from here? -- Doolittle
I do think we start him off slow and stay in a six man for a while. Schedule dictates it and so do the arms and his Japanese schedule. I think we need to be prepared for a piggy back with Lance. Brown Javier Imai Burrows McCullers/Weiss/Pearson/AJ Spaghetti
While there is some risk with the pitchers added, the total cost is low and the upside is quite high. I was told they will still talk to other pitchers and monitor the market for pitching- but they don’t fell pressure to add. As for hitting - they want to add someone still, but won’t use assets for someone marginal. If they can sign or add a difference maker, they will seriously consider it. Miller was heavily involved with pitchers chosen to add to the team.
Lance McCullers is not even a Starting level Pitcher. Brown Imai Javier Burrows Weiss Outside Arrighetti, Blubaugh, Pearson, Alexander, France fighting for 6th spot Wesneski, Blanco return mid season
Astros saved their Draft Picks by not signing Overpriced Free Agents. Saved Picks, Add more talent in the Farm System Trade or Sign Pitchers Out of MLB Absolute Win by Dana Brown and Front Office and Owner Jim Crane spending on a Expensive Posting Fee for Imai.
