The Astros’ most recent addition is still making headlines. Tatsuya Imai is the first big splash the Astros have made since the season ended. With Hunter Brown likely to anchor the rotation alongside him, the Astros pitching staff is shaping up to be a strong one.
With two strong pitchers in their corner, what do they bring to the table, and how could they give fans confidence for the 2026 season?
Tatsuya Imai
Imai, born in Kanuma, Tochigi, Japan, is a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher with a strong resume. He was drafted right out of high school and developed entirely in Japan’s pro system. Imai was drafted by the Saitama Seibu Lions and debuted in NPB in 2018.
Early on, he developed a reputation for power and durability. After his initial development, he became a frontline starter, consistently ranking among the league’s strikeout leaders, per NPB.jp.
2025 Season Stats (NPB):W–L: 10–5, G: 25, IP: 163⅔, K: 178, ERA: 1.92, WHIP: 1.05
Hunter Brown
This 6’2”, 27‑year-old pitcher has shown great potential for the Astros franchise and has steadily developed into one of the team’s most promising young arms. In 2025, Brown had a very solid performance in 31 appearances, per MLB.
2025 Season Stats (MLB):W–L: 12–9, G: 31, IP: 185.1, K: 206, ERA: 2.43, WHIP: 1.03
Between these two pitchers, the Astros should have confidence on the mound heading into the 2026 season.