Powered by an unhittable 'optical illusion' pitch, the Cubs' new ace is taking MLB by storm.
left-hander has taken the mound nine times against nine different opponents -- and none have been able to figure him out.
While that fastball is pedestrian in an era of high-velocity aces, the pitch's movement coming from his deceptive delivery is giving the opposition fits, to the tune of a .164 batting average. Braves bench coach Walt Weiss called it an"optical illusion," and Atlanta's hitters agreed after being held scoreless for five innings by Imanaga earlier this month.said."Most player's swing is to lift the ball and if it has that little ride, you foul it off or swing-and-miss.
When Imanaga arrived from Japan last October, he decided to spend the offseason near his agents, who are based in Chicago. "You're not going over there blind," Hoyer said."All of our pitch data on his fastball was really good."
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