Tatsuya Imai is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who has not only set himself apart as one of the most powerful right arms of his generation. Imai came to prominence in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Saitama Seibu Lions, where his combination of velocity, durability, and command made him a regular All-Star. Following close to a decade of success in Japan, Imai finally made the historically anticipated move to Major League Baseball when he signed with the Houston Astros prior to the 2026 season. His transfer to MLB was a significant milestone in his career and made him a significant international addition to a championship-level rotation.
Tatsuya Imai Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Tatsuya Imai |
| Birth Date: | May 9, 1998 |
| Age: | 27 Years |
| Birth Place: | Kanuma, Tochigi, Japan |
| Height: | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Wife/Fiancee | Merve Bedir |
Early Life
Tatsuya Imai was born on 9th May 1998 in Kanuam, Tochigi, Japan, and grew up in a prefecture that has produced a number of great Japanese athletes. He had an instinctive talent in baseball since he was young, especially in the field of pitching. Measuring about 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) in height and weighing about 176 pounds (80 kg), Imai was able to acquire strength and coordination at a young age, which would enable him to produce above-average velocity even in his teens.
He went to Sakushin Gakuin High School, a leading baseball school in Japan. Tatsuya Imai earned national recognition in his high school days by throwing a hard fastball and not being afraid to go on the mound. His high-pressure tournament performances, such as during the Koshien competitions, enhanced his status as one of the best pitching prospects in the country. He had become a prospective frontline starter in the eyes of professional scouts by the time he graduated.
Tatsuya Imai Career
Imai was picked in the 1st round of the 2016 NPB Draft by the Saitama Seibu Lions and made his professional debut in 2017. His seasons as a player were characterized by a gradual progression in his early years, as he perfected his pitch blend and got used to the strenuous environment of professional baseball. With time, he became one of the most dependable starters for Seibu, who could anchor the rotation.
Imai was a 3-time NPB All-Star between 2017 and 2025 and was always one of the top players in the league in terms of strikeouts. He completed his NPB career with more than 900 strikes and a career earned run average of approximately 3.15 that showed both his durability and success. His powerful fastball, his slider, and his bettering splitter all made him famous, usually overwhelming the opponent hitters even though he stood at a competitive advantage in important games.
The 2025 season was a turning point. Imai launched one of the finest statistical campaigns of his life with an ERA of 1.92 and was involved in a no-hitter, a rarity in professional baseball. That year his dominance fast-tracked interest on his part with MLB teams, and this prompted Seibu to place Seibu on international transfer.
Tatsuya Imai became an official entrant in the MLB posting system in November 2025. He had a three-year deal with the Houston Astros, starting in the 2026 season, on a reported deal of about $54 million after receiving substantial interest in the league. The Astros considered him as one of the key elements of the starting rotation, as they appreciated his expertise, strikeout capacity, and his track record of success in high-level competition. His pitching profile has been compared to other Japanese MLB starters who have succeeded in pitching, and it has been argued that he can miss bats and adjust to better hitters.
Personal Life
Tatsuya Imai is married to Chihiro Imai, though he keeps his personal life largely private. Public confirmation of his marriage came in January 2026 when Chihiro appeared with him at a press conference in Houston following his signing with the Houston Astros. Before this, Imai rarely spoke about his family or relationships, choosing to stay focused on his baseball career, which is why details about his wife remain limited.
Social Media
Tatsuya Imai uses Instagram under the name @tatsuya.imai__48 and has acquired close to 99.7K followers. His content mostly consists of baseball-related information, such as training regimens, game-day experiences, and off-the-field views of professional life. He also posts some personal updates, travel photos, and work milestones every now and then. Although he is not heavily promotional, his social media output is that of a hard-training athlete who is results-oriented and training-oriented.
Tatsuya Imai Net Worth
In early 2026, Tatsuya Imai had a reported net worth of about $8-10 million, mostly based on his professional baseball income. Most of his wealth came about during his time in NPB as a result of salary and performance bonuses and endorsements of players. His three-year Major League Baseball contract with the Houston Astros was a huge step in his earning potential and set him on the road to long-term financial expansion as he became entrenched in Major League Baseball. Although there have been minimal endorsements, his growing global presence means that he has more commercial prospects in both Japan and the United States.