When a player joins a new team and takes on a big contract, it often takes time to adjust to a different environment or handle the new pressure.

We routinely see players needing a full year to settle in after signing a big deal with a new club.

And that’s just for American players. Imagine the pressure and adjustments that go into switching leagues, countries, teams, ballparks and languages – all at the same time.

That is what Shota Imanaga has dealt with through the first 3-plus months of his MLB career and he has navigated it so well that he was chosen as the lone representative for the 2024 Cubs at the All-Star Game.

Imanaga’s numbers are awfully impressive (7-2, 3.16 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 92 Ks in 91 IP).

But it’s how he’s handled everything that has really impressed his new ballclub.

“It’s a lot of really little things but they all, to me, say that you’re curious,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And that curiosity, he’s trying to make life easier for himself. He’s trying to get a little better on the mound. That curiosity is such a fun trait to be around.”

[WATCH: Imanaga’s reaction to being named an All-Star]

Imanaga has also done it all with a light-hearted attitude and approach.

“The other thing that we’ve talked about that we all enjoy is just the competition and this game is so hard and it feels so intense and for most of us, we have to have like this game face on,” Counsell said. “And there’s just a joy to the way it feels like he competes.

“I think we all are a little jealous of that, really – the way we see him compete. At least I am, I know. It’s really fun to watch. But there’s a real, genuine joy that comes from him when he’s on the mound competing. And that’s special. That really is. That’s fun to watch.”

Imanaga’s teammates echoed that sentiment.

“Man, he’s something else,” said pitcher Hayden Wesneski. “He’s a great person. You wouldn’t know if he had a good day or a bad day. It just seems like every day is a good day for him. I don’t mean that as pitching, I mean as a person.

“The way he’s adapted, the way he enjoys life – you can see it when he pitches. He’s a really cool person and obviously he’s a really great pitcher. But I think the biggest thing I’ve taken from him and Kyle [Hendricks] is that it doesn’t matter if it’s a bad day yesterday or a good day yesterday, I gotta go to work today and I’m gonna enjoy today.”

[WATCH: Cubs react to Imanaga’s All-Star nod]

From his very first day as a Cub, Imanaga’s sense of humor has been on display.

He often cracks jokes in press conferences or with his teammates and he is almost always seen walking around with a smile plastered on his face.

“He’s the same guy every day,” Michael Busch said. “We’ve seen him get pretty emotional and pretty excited on the mound. But that even-keel emotion and how he reacts, he always throws a joke in there somehow – some way to make us laugh.

“I think all the guys and the staff and everybody in the organization is so happy for him.”

Imanaga has displayed an air of humility all season when talking about his potential All-Star case, but his teammates never doubted that he would represent the Cubs at the Midsummer Classic.

“He’s being very, very modest,” Ian Happ said a couple days before the All-Star announcement was made. “He’s been fantastic. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game. … He’s been the guy for us all year and I would be honored for him to represent the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game.”

Imanaga was quick to credit his teammates and the entire ballclub with helping him reach All-Star status.

“I’m very thankful for everybody in the clubhouse, support staff, everyone,” Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “Honestly, watching the other players, I mimic what they’re doing, going about their day. I think the support from them, teammates, everybody – I think that’s helped a lot.”