Chicago Cubs Pitcher Deemed Rookie of the Week by MLB Writer

The Chicago Cubs new star pitcher has been named rookie of the week by an MLB writer.

Apr 1, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Wrigley Field. | David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs have been off to a solid start as a team, but one player (a rookie at that) has been especially good so far.

When Bleacher Report releases their weekly power rankings, they also hand out honors to the stars of the sport over the past week.

Their latest edition named Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga Rookie of the Week after two scoreless outings.

Imanaga's first career appearance came against the Colorado Rockies on April 1. He struck out nine batters in six innings and gave up just two hits. It was his first career win as well.

His second outing was a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He struck out three batters, and once again, gave up just two hits over four innings of work. His outing was cut short by a rain delay.

The 30-year-old rookie has been off to a wonderful start, yet to surrender a walk or a run, as the biggest addition of the offseason for Chicago has worked out as much as they could have hoped for this year.

Imanaga was a career 3.18 ERA pitcher over his eight years in Japan's Nippon Baseball League. He also pitched six professional games in Australia with a 0.51 ERA. He has not finished a season with above an ERA of 3.00 or above since 2020.

He's a rookie by Major League standards, but is a proven successful pitcher.

He has adjusted to the American game well so far in the regular season, allowing the Cubs and their fans to breathe a sigh of relief after his slow spring training start.

Across four games and 12 2/3 innings, he had a 5.68 ERA.

Imanaga is third in the rotation right now after the injury to Justin Steele. His next scheduled start is Saturday, April 13 against the Seattle Mariners.