WATCH: Cubs rookie Shota Imanaga bows to umpire after each new ball

Shota Imanaga is making an impact in fans' hearts with his perfect pitches and amazing act of sportsmanship.

In today’s game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Imanaga was seen bowing to the home plate umpire every time he received a new baseball.

"Shota Imanaga shows respect to the home plate umpire by bowing every time he receives a new ball," MLB captioned the video on X.

This act of respect is particularly noteworthy because Imanaga is a rookie in the MLB. Coming from Japan, Imanaga has brought a different baseball culture with him. In Japan, bowing is a common way to show respect to others, especially to those in positions of authority.

Shota Imanaga is a rising star in the Cy Young race

The Chicago Cubs haven't tasted much success in recent years, but Shota Imanaga, a star of the team, has been great for them. He is not only dominating the mound but also leading the way to the Cy Young Award.

The left-hander from Japan has taken MLB by storm. He was not a top player in Japan, but the Cubs took a chance on him. Right from the start of the season, he has been unhittable. He boasts an ERA of 0.84, which is one of the lowest this season. He has struck out 58 players till now and has a WHIP of 0.91.

Imanaga has a unique pitching style. He does not rely on fastballs but mixes up his pitches with deceptive delivery. This makes it difficult for batters to predict what's coming.

In April, Imanaga was already considered a potential candidate for the Rookie of the Year. Moreover, in a recent poll conducted by MLB, many baseball analysts have said that he could potentially win the Cy Young award if he continues his top performances.