The Los Angeles Angels have bolstered their pitching rotation by signing 33-year-old left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a lucrative three-year deal valued at $63 million. This move is part of a broader strategic push by the Angels, which also saw acquisitions of notable players such as Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks during the offseason.
A Season of Change
Last season, Kikuchi started with the Toronto Blue Jays before being traded to the Houston Astros midseason. While with the Blue Jays, he posted an overall ERA of 4.05. However, his performance with the Astros indicated a marked improvement, with Kikuchi managing a 2.70 ERA across 60 innings in his final 10 starts. This transformation was credited to a significant adjustment in his pitching approach.
Adjusting the Arsenal
The adjustment in Kikuchi's pitching strategy involved a decrease in the use of his fastball and curveball, complemented by an increase in slider deployment. Specifically, his fastball usage decreased from 49.6% to 41.8%, and his curveball usage plummeted from 22.7% to 9.5% after joining the Astros. In contrast, his slider usage climbed to 37.1%, enhancing his effectiveness on the mound.
The impact of this adjustment was notable. Batters facing Kikuchi's slider managed a paltry .172/.245/.212 slash line, and the pitch generated an impressive 29.2% swinging strike rate. This shift was in line with earlier analyses suggesting that Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage and leaning more into his sliders and changeups. Clearly, this adjustment paid dividends during his tenure with the Astros.
Command and Control
Another crucial factor in Kikuchi's improved performance was his command, particularly his strategic pitch placement. He placed 67.4% of his deliveries on the outside part of the plate, leading to an opponent OPS of .591 against these pitches. This strategic control is reflected in his improved strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.43 while at Houston, up from the 4.68 he posted overall last season.
Valuable Contributions
Yusei Kikuchi's overall contributions to the Blue Jays and Astros were significant, as his performance was valued at 1.4 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference metrics. This highlights his role as a valuable asset to his teams, underpinning why the Angels were eager to secure his services for the coming seasons.
With Kikuchi in their ranks, the Angels are not only adding a pitcher capable of delivering quality starts but also someone who has demonstrated the ability to adeptly adjust his game for improved outcomes. As the next season approaches, the Angels, with their new roster additions, appear poised to make a competitive push.
Only time will tell how effectively these strategic acquisitions will pan out, but securing Kikuchi signals the Angels' ambition to strengthen their rotation and compete at a higher level in the coming seasons.