Kodai Senga and Shota Imanaga: A New Era of Pitching Velocity in 2026 MLB Season

Both Kodai Senga of the New York Mets and Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs entered Major League Baseball (MLB) with high expectations following their successful careers in Japan’s NPB. In 2025, however, they each faced their fair share of challenges, leading them to enter the 2026 season with a renewed sense of determination and hope for a turnaround.

The 2026 MLB campaign is still in its early stages, but one of the most intriguing developments so far has been the significant increase in the velocity of both pitchers’ fastballs. This rise in speed is not just a minor adjustment—it’s a clear signal that both pitchers are making strides in improving their overall performance.

Senga’s Fastball Velocity Surge

For Kodai Senga, the velocity on his four-seam fastball has seen a notable increase. In 2025, he struggled with this pitch, which became one of the least effective in his arsenal. According to MLB.com’s Jared Greenspan, Senga’s fastball had a -6 run value, with batters hitting .281 and slugging .547 against it. The subpar velocity and inconsistent command allowed hitters to take advantage of his weaknesses.

However, in the 2026 season, Senga has shown remarkable improvement. His four-seam fastball is now averaging 96.7 mph, an increase of 2.0 mph from the previous season. During his first start of the season, Senga reached a career-high average of 97.4 mph, making it the fastest he has ever thrown his fastball in a single game. Even in his second start, where his velocity dipped slightly to 96.0 mph, it still exceeded the average velocity of his fastball in any of his 22 starts during 2025.

This improvement in velocity is a significant step forward for Senga, who struggled with injuries and inconsistencies in his first two seasons in the MLB. His ability to regain his health and increase his velocity indicates that the right-hander is on the right track for a successful 2026 season. The Mets will certainly be hoping this momentum continues as they look to contend in the National League.

Imanaga’s Fastball Improvement and Health Recovery

On the other side of the league, Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs has also seen a boost in his fastball velocity, although not to the same degree as Senga. Imanaga’s four-seam fastball was initially much slower, averaging 90.8 mph in 2025. However, he has managed to raise his velocity by 1.4 mph, now sitting at 92.2 mph in the early 2026 season.

Imanaga’s struggles in 2025 were compounded by a left hamstring strain that sidelined him for nearly two months. Upon his return, his fastball velocity remained low, which contributed to a tough second half of the season. His four-seam fastball had a run value of -10, making it his least valuable pitch. But, like Senga, Imanaga has made adjustments in 2026. He averaged 92.5 mph with his fastball during Spring Training, and this increase in velocity has carried over into the regular season.

In fact, Imanaga has already thrown 12 pitches at speeds greater than 93 mph, a feat he only accomplished 13 times throughout all of 2025. This newfound velocity gives him an added dimension to his pitching game, which could be pivotal for the Cubs as they look to challenge the dominant Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League.

The Importance of Velocity for Both Pitchers

While velocity is not everything in baseball, it plays a crucial role in a pitcher’s success. For both Senga and Imanaga, their increased fastball speeds are helping them reclaim effectiveness and sharpen their pitches. For Senga, it is helping to correct the issues he had in 2025, particularly against hitters who were able to exploit his fastball. Meanwhile, Imanaga, despite not relying on velocity as much as Senga, is still benefiting from the extra zip on his pitches, which adds a new dimension to his game.

Both pitchers’ improvements in velocity are particularly important as they aim to help their respective teams unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have consistently been the dominant force in the National League. With both teams—the Mets and the Cubs—eyeing playoff contention, having pitchers like Senga and Imanaga firing on all cylinders could provide the much-needed edge.

Long-Term Impact and the Key to Continued Success

Of course, a few early starts with increased velocity don’t necessarily guarantee sustained success throughout the season. For both Senga and Imanaga, the key will be whether they can maintain these velocity gains over the course of the year. If they can, it would represent a major boost for both their individual careers and their teams’ playoff aspirations.

For the Mets, Senga’s health and performance are crucial for their rotation’s success. Having a top-tier pitcher who can consistently deliver with increased velocity would be a massive asset. Likewise, the Cubs are hoping that Imanaga’s improvements in velocity are the beginning of a strong season for him, as they continue their push for contention in the National League.

As the 2026 season progresses, both pitchers will be closely watched to see if their increased fastball velocities are just a temporary boost or if they have truly found the key to success. If Senga and Imanaga can continue to improve and prove that their velocity increases are sustainable, it could make all the difference in their teams’ quests for postseason glory.

Conclusion: A Promising Start to 2026 for Senga and Imanaga

In conclusion, the early signs in the 2026 MLB season are very encouraging for both Kodai Senga and Shota Imanaga. Their increased fastball velocities are not just statistical anomalies—they represent the growth and improvement of two pitchers who struggled in 2025 but are now showing signs of a return to form.

Both the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs will be hoping that their pitchers’ velocity boosts continue, as it could be the key to their success in the National League. For Senga, the Mets will need his fastball to remain strong if they want to challenge the Dodgers, while Imanaga’s newfound velocity gives the Cubs a boost in their own battle for a playoff spot.

With both pitchers now firing on all cylinders, it’s safe to say that the early 2026 season has been a positive one for Senga and Imanaga, and the best may still be yet to come.