The Los Angeles Angels are making moves to bolster their roster for the upcoming season, with the latest acquisition being the experienced left-handed pitcher, Yusei Kikuchi. The Angels have inked Kikuchi to a lucrative three-year contract worth $63 million, adding a veteran presence to their pitching staff. At 33 years old, Kikuchi brings a wealth of experience from his time in Major League Baseball, having previously suited up for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros.
An Impressive Midseason Turnaround
Kikuchi's previous season was a tale of two halves. While he ended the year with a 4.05 ERA, his performance after a midseason trade to the Houston Astros was notable for its excellence. In his final 10 starts with Houston, Kikuchi managed a stellar 2.70 ERA over 60 innings. This turnaround can be attributed to several strategic adjustments on the mound.
After joining the Astros, Kikuchi improved his strikeout-to-walk ratio to a commendable 5.43, a marked improvement from earlier in the season. One of the keys to this success was a significant change in his pitch selection. "Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups," a sentiment made around the time of his trade, seems to have been prophetic.
The Japanese southpaw reduced his fastball usage from 49.6% to 41.8% and significantly lowered his curveball usage from 22.7% to just 9.5%. Instead, he increased his reliance on his slider, throwing it 37.1% of the time. This strategic shift paid dividends, as batters struggled against his slider, managing only a .172/.245/.212 slash line. Furthermore, his slider produced an impressive 29.2% swinging strike rate, showcasing its effectiveness in Kikuchi's arsenal.
Mastery of Pitch Placement
Aside from altering his pitch mix, Kikuchi also demonstrated exceptional control by placing 67.4% of his pitches on the outside part of the plate. This strategic location resulted in hitters posting a mere .591 OPS against him when he located his pitches there. Such precision highlights Kikuchi's adeptness in utilizing his pitches to stymie opposing batters effectively.
Overall Impact and Future Prospects
Yusei Kikuchi's contributions last season were notable, with his efforts estimated at 1.4 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference. This metric underscores the value he brought to his teams defensively and as a part of the pitching rotation.
With Kikuchi now an Angel, the franchise adds to an offseason haul that includes notable names like Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. These acquisitions reflect the team's ambition to craft a competitive roster aimed at contending in the upcoming season.
The Angels' pitching coach will no doubt be keen to harness Kikuchi's refined skill set, particularly his effective slider and strategic pitch placement, as they look to mount a formidable challenge. The blend of Kikuchi’s experience and the Angels' overall revamped roster could well make a significant impact as the season unfolds.