Amidst a flurry of strategic acquisitions, the Los Angeles Angels have made a significant move by signing left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year deal reportedly worth $63 million. At 33, Kikuchi brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record from his recent stints with major league teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros.
A Season of Two Halves
Kikuchi's performance last season was characterized by notable improvement, especially after his midseason move to the Astros. Initially posting a 4.05 ERA, his numbers took a remarkable turn as he settled into his new team. Over his final 10 starts with Houston, Kikuchi managed a 2.70 ERA over 60 innings, underscoring his adaptability and potential as a reliable starter.
Critically, his strikeout-to-walk ratio, a pivotal metric for any pitcher, improved from 4.68 to an impressive 5.43 after joining the Astros. This progression speaks volumes about Kikuchi's ability to adjust and refine his approach in response to new coaching and competitive environments.
Strategic Pitching Adjustments
A key element of Kikuchi's success in Houston was a strategic alteration to his pitch selection. Upon joining the Astros, he reduced his fastball usage from 49.6% to 41.8%, and his curveball usage dropped from 22.7% to 9.5%. Instead, Kikuchi focused on enhancing his slider, increasing its utilization to 37.1%. The results of these changes were resoundingly positive. Batters managed only a .172/.245/.212 slash line against his slider, which also achieved a 29.2% swinging strike rate.
Moreover, Kikuchi demonstrated a strategic placement skill, delivering 67.4% of his pitches to the outside part of the plate. This tactic contributed to limiting hitters to a .591 OPS on outside pitches, a testament to his precision and command.
Bolstering the Angels' Roster
The Angels' acquisition of Kikuchi is part of a broader effort to strengthen their roster during the off-season. Alongside Kikuchi, the Angels have added notable talents such as Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. These strategic signings are aimed at bolstering both the team's offensive and defensive capabilities, creating a well-rounded squad poised for a competitive season.
Last season, Kikuchi's contributions were measured at 1.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Baseball Reference, a figure the Angels hope to see grow as he settles into his new role. "Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups," observed analysts at the time of his trade. This insightful analysis appears to align with the positive developments observed in his performance statistics.
As Kikuchi embarks on this new chapter with the Angels, the team is eager to capitalize on his late-season form from last year. If his refined approach continues to evolve, the Angels could very well see significant returns on their latest investment, further solidifying their pursuit of championship contention.