The Houston Astros are losing their ace in Framber Valdez. However, the Astros were able to sign the top Japanese starting pitcher, Tatsuya Imai. The agreement

Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai immersed himself in Texas culture right away, taking in a game between the NFL’s Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and throwing up the team’s “H” hand sign when he was shown on the big screen.

Imai, the Japanese star pitcher who signed with the Astros on New Year's Day in a surprising free agent move, chose Houston over the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of Imai's main motivations was to blaze his own trail by going somewhere where no Japanese player was currently on the roster.

The Houston Astros surprised many by signing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai to a three-year deal that could be worth $54 million.

Although all players have an equal chance of winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award, the honor has been claimed disproportionately by outfielders since its inception in 1949. Outfielders have 24 victories compared to 17 for pitchers and 17 for shortstops. Catchers are bringing up the rear with just two ROY victories over the past 73 years.

Newly signed Astros starter Tatsuya Imai will forgo the World Baseball Classic to acclimate with Houston and prepare for his first Major League season.

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai felt right at home at Toyota Center as he cheered for the Houston Rockets against the Phoenix Suns.

YouTube With the recent success of Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, teams throughout baseball have been clamoring to add stars from Japan to their rosters. The Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays did just that by bringing in Tatsuya Imai and