You are purchasing a 2025 Topps Tribute Green certified auto card #TA-SI of Shota Imanaga serial numbered 86/99.  Shota is pictured in high resolution photography.  This card also looks like an art museum portrait as the card has a picture frame like design.  Shota Imanaga’s signature is on the card signed in a crisp blue sharpie that is certified by Topps.  As an added bonus, you will receive a 2024 Topps Holiday Series rookie card #H84 and a 2024 Topps Heritage High Number Rookie Card #564 of Shota Imanaga.  These cards are an absolute must have for any Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs or any “throwing Philosopher” fan/collector/investor!   

Shōta Imanaga (今永 昇太, Imanaga Shōta; born September 1, 1993), nicknamed "The Throwing Philosopher", and "Mike Imanaga II" is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars from 2016 to 2023. Imanaga is a two-time NPB All-Star and he led the Central League in strikeouts in 2023 before signing with the Cubs during the 2023–24 offseason. In his first season as a Cub, Imanaga was an All-Star.

On September 4, 2024, Imanaga pitched a combined no-hitter with relief pitchers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge. The game, which was against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, was the first no-hitter to be thrown at Wrigley by the Cubs since Milt Pappas no-hit the San Diego Padres in Chicago 52 years and 2 days prior, on September 2, 1972.

Career

The Yokohama DeNA BayStars selected Imanaga in the first round of the 2015 NPB draft out of Komazawa University.

Imanaga signed with the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League to play weeks 2–7 of the 2018–19 Australian Baseball League season[4] In his six starts for the Cavalry, he posted a 4–0 win–loss record with a league-best 0.51 earned run average (ERA) over 35 innings pitched with 57 strikeouts to one walk. By meeting the statistical recognition minimum (0.8IP per team game), Imanaga broke the league records for WHIP (0.429), H/9 (3.6), BB/9 (0.3) and second-best ERA behind Ryan Searle. Following his ABL stint, Imanaga posted a 13–7 2.91 ERA, 2019 Nippon Professional Baseball season, finishing second in wins and strikeouts only behind Shun Yamaguchi in the Central League.

On June 7, 2022, Imanaga pitched a no-hitter against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He struck out nine and allowed one walk over 117 pitches.

On September 6, 2023, Yokohama announced that they would post Imanaga to Major League Baseball (MLB) following the 2023 season.

On January 11, 2024, Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Chicago Cubs that also contained a fifth-year option. The Cubs also had to pay $9.825 million to the Bay Stars in the form of a release fee.

Imanaga pitched six shutout innings allowing just two hits with nine strikeouts in his first start for the Cubs on April 1, 2024. Through his first nine MLB starts, Imanaga compiled a 5-0 record with a then-league-leading 0.84 ERA.

On September 4, Imanaga delivered the first seven innings of a combined no-hitter and 12–0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge both followed with one inning each. It was the 18th no-hitter and the second combined no-hitter in Cubs franchise history. Additionally, it was the first no-hitter at Wrigley Field since 1972 when Milt Pappas last threw a no-hitter there.

Imanaga started for the Cubs on opening day in 2025 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB Tokyo Series. In the game, Imanaga pitched four scoreless innings, allowing zero hits, and striking out two batters but got a no decision as the Cubs lost to the Dodgers in the game. He made 25 starts for Chicago, posting a 9-8 record and 3.73 ERA with 117 strikeouts across 144+2⁄3 innings pitched.

While the majority of Imanaga's following originates from Japan, many fans across the United States (particularly Chicago Cubs supporters) have embraced his precise pitching style. Both at Wrigley Field and via social media, Imanaga has cultivated a passionate international fan base. One particularly viral phenomenon among Chicago fans was the “Shota Boys,” a group of shirtless fans in the bleachers, which originated during his first games with the Cubs early in the season.

On November 4, 2025, the Cubs declined his three-year club option and Imanaga became a free agent. However, on November 18, he accepted the $22 million qualifying offer to remain with the Cubs for another season.

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