In a significant move this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels have bolstered their pitching roster by signing left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year contract worth $63 million. This strategic acquisition signals the Angels' intent to enhance their competitive edge as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Yusei Kikuchi, an accomplished pitcher at the age of 33, brings with him a wealth of experience from his prior stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and most recently, the Houston Astros. During the last season, Kikuchi demonstrated his value on the mound with an overall ERA of 4.05, a notable figure that reflects his capability to deliver consistent performances.
Transformation in Houston
After a midseason trade to the Astros, Kikuchi's performance soared to new heights. Over the course of 60 innings in his final 10 starts with Houston, he achieved a commendable ERA of 2.70. This improvement was complemented by a reduced fastball usage, decreasing from 49.6% to just 41.8%, and a dramatic reduction in curveball usage from 22.7% to 9.5%. Such tactical adjustments allowed Kikuchi to perfect his approach to pitching.
The increase in slider usage to 37.1% proved particularly effective, creating advantageous outcomes for Kikuchi. This shift was not only strategic but also resulted in impressive statistics: a slash line of .172/.245/.212 against his slider, underscoring the difficulty batters faced in adapting to his evolving style. Notably, the slider delivered a remarkable 29.2% swinging strike rate, a testament to its potency.
Enhanced Pitch Placement
Kikuchi's development in pitch precision also stands out. He adeptly placed 67.4% of his pitches to the outside part of the plate, a tactic that restricted hitters to a .591 on-base plus slugging (OPS) against these outside targets. This shows his adeptness at engaging batters in ways that minimize scoring opportunities, thus contributing significantly to his team's defensive efforts.
This strategic evolution did not go unnoticed, with analysts suggesting that "surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups." This insight, offered at the time of his trade, seems prescient given the successful adjustments Kikuchi implemented during his tenure with the Astros.
Impact on the Angels
Kikuchi’s performance last season was valued at 1.4 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference, highlighting his contribution to his teams' overall successes. His acquisition adds significant value to the Angels, not just in depth but also in bolstering their strategic options on the field.
In an active offseason, the Angels' signing of Kikuchi coincides with other notable acquisitions, including players like Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. These moves collectively hint at a broader strategy to construct a roster capable of pushing the Angels deeper into the postseason.
With these key additions, the Angels are positioning themselves to make a serious impact. Kikuchi's proven ability to adapt and improve suggests that he will be a pivotal figure in their rotation, potentially leading to transformative success in the coming seasons.
For the Angels' fans, the prospect of seeing Kikuchi deliver similar stellar performances as he did in Houston is an exciting proposition. The franchise now eagerly awaits to see how this fortified lineup performs when they take to the field in pursuit of championship glory.