The Baltimore Orioles head into next season with a glaring need for stability in their pitching rotation. A mix of injuries and underwhelming performances from both veterans and rookies exposed a serious lack of depth this year. As a result, the staff finished in the bottom five in ERA, WHIP, and home runs allowed.
The situation wasn’t helped by the midseason trades that stripped two bullpen arms from the roster. Outside of Trevor Rogers, who turned in a stellar year, most of Baltimore’s pitchers either landed on the injured list or simply fell apart. General manager Mike Elias will almost certainly have to explore free agency this winter to patch the rotation.
The 2025 offseason will feature a crowded market for pitching, but one name stands out: Tatsuya Imai.
The 27-year-old right-hander from Japan has built an impressive résumé in Nippon Professional Baseball. Since debuting at 19, he has steadily refined his control and expanded his repertoire. This season with the Saitama Seibu Lions, he delivered his best numbers yet, throwing 152 2/3 innings over 22 starts with a sparkling 1.59 ERA. Just as important for the Orioles, he allowed only four home runs, 42 walks, and fewer than 100 total hits.
Advanced metrics make his case even stronger. Nearly half the contact he induces comes on the ground, while only 15% is hard-hit. He also generates about twice as much soft contact as hard, evidence that his stuff has plenty of life. His walk rate dropped to 7%, his FIP sat at 1.82, and he pushed close to a 30% strikeout rate with just a 3.5% HR/FB ratio—all career-best figures.
Imai’s Arsenal is Dominant
Imai’s arsenal gives him ace-level potential. He mixes five pitches, highlighted by a sharp cutter and slider, while his fastball can touch 99 mph, placing him among baseball’s hardest throwers. According to Fangraphs’ last full scouting report in 2023, his fastball grades at 60 (a plus pitch) with a slightly above-average slider. Control remains the only question mark, as evidenced by eight hit batters this year, but the overall profile is highly appealing.
If Baltimore were to land Imai, he could easily slot in as a frontline partner with Rogers, especially if Grayson Rodriguez’s progress is slowed by injuries. The challenge is that the Orioles won’t be alone in pursuit. Within their own division, the Yankees are expected to make a serious push, while the Padres have also been linked as suitors. With Imai’s posting fee and contract likely topping $200 million, it comes down to whether Elias is willing to make that kind of investment.