In a strategic move this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels have bolstered their pitching rotation by signing left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a lucrative three-year contract valued at $63 million. At 33 years old, the Japanese import brings both experience and fresh momentum to a team aiming to rejuvenate its roster during a busy offseason.
An Evolving Pitcher
Kikuchi's journey to the Angels includes significant stops at the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros, each adding unique chapters to his career. Last season, Kikuchi posted an ERA of 4.05, a respectable figure that he further improved upon after a midseason trade to the Astros. Over his final 10 starts with Houston, he dazzled with a 2.70 ERA across 60 innings. This late-season surge clearly caught the attention of the Angels' front office, who viewed his performance as part of a broader transformation in his pitching strategy.
Adjustments and Improvements
A key area of Kikuchi's evolution has been the refinement of his pitch selection. Upon joining the Astros, he made a calculated decision to reduce his fastball usage from 49.6% to 41.8% and dramatically cut his curveball utilization from 22.7% to 9.5%. This change was not merely coincidental; it aligned with notable analysis around the time he was traded, suggesting, "Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups."
Indeed, Kikuchi increased his reliance on his slider, which accounted for 37.1% of his pitches with the Astros. This shift reaped substantial rewards, as batters produced a feeble .172/.245/.212 slash line against his slider. The pitch proved lethal, boasting a 29.2% swinging strike rate, effectively neutralizing opposing hitters.
Command and Control
Another ingredient in Kikuchi’s success recipe has been his remarkable control on the mound. He managed a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.68 for the season, which further improved to 5.43 following his trade to Houston. A significant part of his approach involves targeting the outside part of the plate, with 67.4% of his pitches landing there. As a result, hitters were limited to a .591 OPS on those outside offerings, showcasing Kikuchi's ability to dominate the edges of the strike zone.
Valuable Contributions
Last season, Kikuchi's overall contributions were quantified at 1.4 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference. This metric reflects not just his polished performances on the mound, but also his capacity to sway outcomes in favor of his team. Such contributions will be invaluable as he embarks on this new chapter with the Angels.
Reinforcements Across the Board
Kikuchi's signing is part of a broader strategy by the Angels to reinforce their roster, evidenced by acquiring other seasoned talents during the offseason. The team has also signed outfielder Jorge Soler, catcher Travis d'Arnaud, infielder Kevin Newman, utility player Scott Kingery, and veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks. This flurry of activity underscores the front office’s commitment to assembling a competitive and versatile unit.
With these acquisitions, the Angels are clearly signaling their intent to be formidable contenders in the upcoming season. Yusei Kikuchi’s arrival not only strengthens their rotation but also brings a pitcher who has successfully adapted and thrived under pressure. As he dons his new uniform, the Angels—and their fans—look forward to witnessing his continued evolution on the mound.