Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Shota Imanaga Claims NL Rookie of the Month for April

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated 5/3/24

Things are going well in April for the Chicago Cubs despite the circumstances. The team is riddled with injuries to many key contributors, but the team still finds themself in second place in the NL Central. They have a great chance to make up ground as the Milwaukee Brewers, leaders of the division, venture to Wrigley Field for a three-game set starting on Friday.

That said, the team set a franchise record for wins in the month of April. Overall, the team had plenty of ups and downs in April, with various players stepping up in key moments throughout the month. There was one player however who was always consistent whenever they stepped onto the diamond. He is Him , as Tyler Edmunds said on our latest Cubs On Tap watch along. Shota Imanaga is him, and he is your NL Rookie of the Month for April.

Congratulations to Shota Imanaga on being named National League Rookie of the Month!

ナショナルリーグのルーキー・オブ・ザ・マンスに選ばれた今永昇太選手、おめでとうございます！ pic.twitter.com/uji5bjzgEt
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 3, 2024

Imanaga's sixth start of the season technically came on May 1, but over the course of his first season in MLB, Imanaga is dealing. The lefty is 5-0 over six starts, pitching 34.2 innings while fanning 35 batters and allowing only four free passes. His 0.78 ERA is an all-time best by many Cubs standards (and league standards) and he continues to be the ace the Cubs need while Justin Steele recovers from a hamstring injury.

Even looking at just Imanaga's April numbers, the lefty was still 4-0 through five starts with a 0.98 ERA.

Imanaga has been a calming presence on the mound. Every time he takes the bump on every fifth day, the bucks stops there. Whether the Cubs are in a rut, or they're riding a hot streak, The Throwing Philosopher continues to put together quality start after quality start.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, Imanaga is not scheduled to throw in the upcoming Brewers series. Rather, he is in line to lead-off the three-game series starting on Monday at Wrigley Field with the San Diego Padres. However, depending on Justin Steele's likely return to the rotation next week, Imanaga could be awarded an extra day of rest and throw on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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