In a significant move this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels have acquired left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi on a three-year contract valued at $63 million. As Kikuchi prepares to don the Angels' uniform, both the team and its fans are hopeful that his recent improvements will translate into consistent success.
Kikuchi's Journey to Los Angeles
At 33 years old, Yusei Kikuchi brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros. Last season, Kikuchi posted an Earned Run Average (ERA) of 4.05. However, his performance improved significantly after a midseason trade to the Astros, where he recorded a stellar 2.70 ERA over his final 10 starts, spanning 60 innings.
Part of Kikuchi's recent success can be attributed to an altered approach on the mound. With the Astros, he displayed a refined strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.43, up from 4.68 earlier in the season. This positive change is indicative of his ability to command pitches more effectively, an area he appears to have honed in Houston.
Adjustments That Paid Off
A notable shift in Kikuchi's pitching arsenal was his reduced reliance on the fastball and curveball. He decreased his fastball usage from 49.6% to 41.8% and his curveball usage from 22.7% to just 9.5%. Instead, he increased his slider usage to 37.1%, a decision that seemed to pay dividends. Opposing batters struggled significantly against his slider, managing only a .172/.245/.212 slash line, while the pitch also generated an impressive 29.2% swinging strike rate.
Kikuchi's ability to pinpoint his pitches was further evidenced by his preference for targeting the outside part of the plate, where he located 67.4% of his pitches. This strategic placement resulted in a low .591 OPS by hitters on outside pitches, showcasing his capacity to suppress offensive threats effectively.
A Critical Acquisition for the Angels
The addition of Kikuchi is part of the Angels' broader strategy to bolster their roster this offseason. Alongside Kikuchi, the Angels have also signed notable players such as Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. These acquisitions indicate the team's commitment to building a competitive squad capable of making a deep run into the playoffs.
Of particular interest to analysts and fans is how Kikuchi will adapt to his role with the Angels. His versatility and recent improvements make him a valuable asset, especially if he continues to refine his pitching strategy. An analysis circulating around the time of his trade noted, "Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups." This insight underscores the potential impact of further tuning his pitching style to maximize his effectiveness on the mound.
A Promising Future
Last season, Kikuchi contributed an estimated 1.4 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference, reflecting his valuable presence on the field. As he embarks on this new chapter with the Angels, expectations will be high for him to maintain and improve upon his performance. Given his track record and recent enhancements in his game, Kikuchi emerges as a pivotal figure in the Angels’ quest for success in the upcoming seasons.
The Angels' investment in Kikuchi represents not just faith in his baseline performance but also a belief in his potential to elevate his game to new heights. With the upcoming season on the horizon, all eyes will be on Kikuchi to see if he can continue his trajectory of improvement and become a cornerstone of the Angels' pitching rotation.