Renowned for his strategic pitching and adaptability on the mound, Yusei Kikuchi inked a three-year, $63 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, marking a significant acquisition for the team. At 33 years old, Kikuchi brings experience and a proven track record to the Angels' roster, creating anticipation for the upcoming season.
Kikuchi's Career Journey
Kikuchi's journey in Major League Baseball is one of adaptation and continual improvement. His most recent performances for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros hinted at his capability to refine his game. His ERA last season settled at a respectable 4.05, demonstrating his ability to maintain effectiveness on the mound.
After a midseason trade to the Houston Astros, Kikuchi showcased impressive adaptability. Over the course of his last 10 starts with the Astros, he boasted a 2.70 ERA, underscoring his resilience and skill enhancement. Notably, his strikeout-to-walk ratio experienced a considerable uptick, improving from 4.68 to 5.43, which contributed significantly to his successes.
Pivotal Changes in Pitching Strategy
A key factor in Kikuchi's improved form was his revised pitching strategy. Upon joining the Astros, Kikuchi made deliberate adjustments, particularly in his pitch selection. He decreased his reliance on fastballs from 49.6% to 41.8% and minimized the use of his curveball from 22.7% to a mere 9.5%. Concurrently, he placed greater emphasis on his slider, increasing its employment to 37.1%.
The shift yielded notable results. Batters facing Kikuchi’s slider saw grim outcomes, with a slash line of just .172/.245/.212 against it, and it delivered an impressive 29.2% swinging strike rate. This strategic pivot underscored Kikuchi's ability to leverage his arsenal effectively, optimizing his pitch selection to keep hitters off balance.
The Art of Placement
Placement was equally crucial to Kikuchi's improved performances. He placed 67.4% of his pitches to the outside part of the plate, confounding many hitters. This precision pitching led to an opposing OPS of just .591, attesting to Kikuchi’s capacity to control the game and dictate the pace from the mound.
Adding Value to the Angels
Kikuchi's contributions translated to an estimated 1.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) last season, according to Baseball Reference. This value underscores his ability to positively impact the game and support his team’s defensive efforts through strategic pitching.
As the Angels aim to enhance their roster, they have not stopped at Kikuchi. Their off-season endeavors have also brought in notable players such as Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. Each addition to their lineup suggests a strategic approach to assembling a well-rounded and competitive team for the upcoming season.
The signing of Yusei Kikuchi, alongside the other player acquisitions, demonstrates the Angels’ commitment to strengthening both their offensive and defensive components. With Kikuchi’s expertise as part of their pitching lineup, the Angels are poised to confront the challenges of the season with renewed vigor and tactical diversity.
Echoing a notable analysis from around the time of his trade, “Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups.” This insight proved prophetic, as Kikuchi’s adjustments have already begun to pay dividends. As he joins the Angels, there is much anticipation for how he will continue to evolve and deliver performances that command attention across the league.