In a move that could potentially bolster their pitching rotation, the Los Angeles Angels have secured the services of left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi with a three-year, $63 million contract. At 33 years old, Kikuchi brings a blend of experience and recent improvement to a team looking to strengthen its core during the offseason.
Kikuchi's journey to the Angels has been marked by significant stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and, more recently, the Houston Astros. Last season, Kikuchi posted a modest 4.05 ERA but demonstrated considerable growth after a midseason trade to the Astros. His performance in Houston was nothing short of impressive, as he delivered a sparkling 2.70 ERA over 60 innings across his final 10 starts. This notable uptick in performance was accompanied by a refined strikeout-to-walk ratio, which he improved from 4.68 to 5.43, signaling enhanced command and effectiveness on the mound.
One of the keys to Kikuchi's success with the Astros was a strategic change in his pitching repertoire. During this period, Kikuchi made a deliberate effort to reduce his fastball usage from 49.6% to 41.8% and his curveball from 22.7% to a meager 9.5%. Instead, he focused more heavily on his slider, increasing its usage to 37.1%. The slider proved to be a formidable weapon, with opposing batters managing a mere .172/.245/.212 slash line against it. Kikuchi's slider induced a remarkable 29.2% swinging strike rate, exemplifying its effectiveness.
Further analysis of Kikuchi's pitching strategy reveals a penchant for targeting the outside part of the plate, placing 67.4% of his pitches there. This approach confounded hitters, as evidenced by a low .591 OPS when batting against Kikuchi's offerings on the outside corner.
"Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups," analysts noted around the time of his trade. The data supported this observation, as Kikuchi's adjustments in Houston underscored the wisdom of this strategy, proving that calculated changes in pitch selection could yield significant results.
In terms of overall contribution to his teams last season, Kikuchi's efforts were valued at 1.4 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference. While not eye-popping, this figure suggests a steady utility that the Angels hope to maximize in the coming seasons.
The acquisition of Kikuchi is part of the Angels' broader offseason efforts to deepen their roster. In addition to Kikuchi, the Angels have made several notable signings, including Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. Collectively, these acquisitions indicate a determined bid to enhance team performance and make a concerted push in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
As Kikuchi joins the Angels, expectations will be high. With his adjusted approach on the mound and a keen understanding of big-league batters, Kikuchi stands poised to make a significant impact. The Angels are betting that his talent and experience, coupled with his recent improvements, will translate into tangible success and contribute meaningfully to their playoff ambitions in the upcoming seasons.