LIVE: Shota Imanaga’s Introductory Press Conference (UPDATES)

I’m watching Shota Imanaga’s introductory press conference, and jotting down the comments as they come. And it’s streaming here for anyone who can’t watch:

Some notes, and updating as the presser goes on …

The press conference begins with effusive praise from Jed Hoyer for both Shota Imanaga and his former club, the BayStars in Japan.

Hoyer describes Imanaga as exceptionally curious, cerebral pitcher (referencing his nickname as the “Throwing Philosopher”), who wants to get better, and already loves Chicago and Wrigley Field.

“Hey Chicago, what do you say? Cubs are gonna win today.” – Shota Imanaga’s first words as a Cub. The smile on my face, haha. I feel like a giddy little kid. Imanaga continued a prepared introduction in English, which was very cool to have him put that together.

From there, Imanaga’s statement continued in Japanese, and it was all just very good and nice stuff – complimentary of the organization, his former organization, the fans, his excitement about pitching at Wrigley Field, and so on and so forth.

The Cubs showed that they believed in Imanaga’s potential, and his ability to improve. That was very attractive to him.

Shota said that he does know Seiya Suzuki from their time in the NPB, but he didn’t talk to Seiya while making his decision. After he decided on the Cubs, though, that’s when he reached out.

Jed says the Cubs were scouting Imanaga early, and staying in touch from there, but they always suspected it would come down to late in the posting period. So that’s kind of why it played out that way.

Shota says he tries to be a funny guy on and off the field. He’ll have to demonstrate soon. We enjoy funny.

As far as pitching every fifth day in MLB instead of every sixth day in NPB, Imanaga said, because it’s a novel experience for him, he wants to keep an open mind and seek advice. He’ll talk to the staff, to teammates, and figure out how to best make it work for him.

The WBC gave Imanaga the experience of facing players of unimaginable talent, and it made him want to face that challenge even more.

Shota chose number 18 because when he was reviewing Cubs history, he thought about wanting to be like Ben Zobrist. The next World Series hero, of course.

Jed Hoyer says he does hope that the Cubs can become a destination for NPB players, and they will continue to learn and improve what they can do for Japanese players like Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga.

Imanaga met a few of the players at the Convention already, and he felt like they were smiling and accepting of him already.

The pitch clock is a change for Shota, but he says sometimes he…