Cubs ace Justin Steele studying new teammate Shota Imanaga with hopes to improve his own game

(670 The Score) After enjoying a breakthrough season in 2023, Cubs left-hander Justin Steele is seeking ways he can become even better this year. Part of that means learning from others.

Steele has taken notice of new Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, whom his team signed to a four-year, $53-million deal in January, and is watching with fascination. For Steele, Imanaga’s pitching approach offers him plenty to covet for his own game.

“It’s weird to look at him as a rookie just because he seems like he’s so well-seasoned and already had that vet mentality to him,” Steele said. “He’s done a lot of pitching (in Japan). Just watching his bullpens, there are so many things I want to take from his game and implement into mine. I feel he’s always loaded on his back side, never seems like he has to get loaded, he’s always loaded, he’s really quick to the plate, I really like his side step. That’s something I want to implement into my game better. And then his pitches with themselves are just really nasty. Just watching him manipulate, maneuver the ball around the plate, it’s really impressive.”

Imanaga, 30, posted a career 2.96 ERA over eight seasons pitching in Japan. He was 7-5 with a 2.66 ERA over 24 games with the Yokomaha DeNA BayStars.

Steele, 28, was 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 30 starts last season with the Cubs. He was named to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career and finished fifth in National League Cy Young voting.

Cubs pitchers and catchers reported to spring training on Wednesday at the team’s camp in Mesa, Arizona.