The buzz in the desert air is palpable. Fans flock to Sloan Park for a glimpse at the Chicago Cubs’ newest Japanese star, Shota Imanaga. As the Spring Training sun beats down as he takes the mound, his every pitch is scrutinized. The Cubs have pinned their hopes on this enigmatic lefty, but the whispers remain: can he conquer the notoriously unforgiving world of Major League Baseball?

His fastball sizzles, a blur of white against the Arizona sky. It’s a pitch with tantalizing potential, but potential alone doesn’t win championships. The transition from Japan’s NPB to the big leagues is a brutal one. Can Imanaga adapt his game and mindset to the higher strike zones and relentless power of American hitters? Can his fastball, however electric, carry him to the pinnacle of the sport?

The Cubs’ plan and Shota Imanaga’s arsenal

Imanaga’s unique four-seam fastball has captivated the Cubs. With an incredible 22–23 inches of induced vertical break in controlled environments, this pitch has the potential to be devastating. The Cubbies hope to help him increase consistency and leverage the higher strike zone in MLB, a significant change from his experience in Japan. So far, how are the ace and his team going about it?

To harness this potential, Chicago is working on changing Shota Imanaga’s fastball mentality by using technology to visually demonstrate the higher strike zone. Besides the fastball, he boasts an impressive six-pitch arsenal. He throws a slider, splitter, sinker, cutter, and curveball to keep hitters off-balance. The Cubs have high hopes for the splitter in particular.

New Cubs manager Craig Counsell downplays any focus on Imanaga’s early performance. “I’m really just interested in him going out there… and moving on to the next one,” Counsell told The Athletic. Their focus is on getting Imanaga ramped up for the season, not dissecting his Spring Training statistics. But Counsell’s nonchalance can’t hide one key detail: the home run Imanaga surrendered in Japan.

Can the ace adjust his mentality?

Shota Imanaga acknowledges the difference between Japanese and American strike zones as a challenge. “Today was an 0-1 count, and I should’ve thrown the fastball a little higher, and I missed a little bit,” he confessed after his first Spring Training game this Saturday. This adjustment in approach will be crucial.

Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy notes, “We want him to do what he does really well… But he has a pretty clear repertoire. The big thing will be helping him make the adjustments.” Despite his glaring repertoire, the ace’s biggest game-changer will be harnessing his special fastball. And so far, it looks like they have the training tailored to him!

Read More: Shota Imanaga Paid a Cubs Legend the Ultimate Respect, Before Carrying Forward His Legacy in a Special Way

For further emphasis on his abilities, Shota Imanaga is projected for a strong season. FanGraphs’ ZiPs estimates a 3.0 WAR, potentially ranking him among MLB’s top 25 pitchers. If he can adapt and command his elite fastball, Imanaga will be a force the Cubs desperately need to return to October baseball.

Read More: EXCLUSIVE: Chicago Cubs’ Senior Pitching Coordinator Backs Shota Imanaga for MLB Success, Highlights Japanese Star’s Extensive Arsenal