Angels Secure Pitching Depth with Yusei Kikuchi Signing
In a determined bid to enhance their pitching capabilities, the Los Angeles Angels have secured the services of left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, signing him to a lucrative three-year deal valued at $63 million. Kikuchi, a seasoned 33-year-old pitcher, brings a wealth of experience from his previous stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros.
A Midseason Transformative Move
Kikuchi's journey last season was marked by significant improvements post-trade to the Astros. Initially, he registered an ERA of 4.05, a respectable but not outstanding figure that left room for growth. However, upon his midseason move to Houston, he impressively lowered his ERA to 2.70 over a stretch of 60 innings in 10 starts. This transition not only speaks volumes about his adaptability but also underscores his potential to be a pivotal player in the Angels' roster.
Kikuchi's advancement was particularly evident in his strikeout-to-walk ratio, which saw a promising increase from 4.68 to 5.43 with the Astros. Analyzing his pitch usage reveals a strategic adjustment; he reduced his fastball use from 49.6% to 41.8% and dramatically cut down his curveball usage from 22.7% to 9.5%. In place of these, Kikuchi deployed his slider more frequently, raising its usage to 37.1%.
The Rise of the Slider
This increase in reliance on the slider became a cornerstone of Kikuchi's resurgence. Batters managed only a .172/.245/.212 slash line against this pitch during his time with the Astros, highlighting its effectiveness. His slider also generated a remarkable 29.2% swinging strike rate, making it a formidable weapon in his pitching arsenal.
A keen observation of Kikuchi’s pitch placement shows that he favored the outside part of the plate, where 67.4% of his pitches landed. The strategic boundary limited hitters to a mere .591 OPS on these outside pitches. This precision in placement is a testament to Kikuchi's tactical acumen and ability to confound hitters consistently.
Insights and Expectations
Reflecting on Kikuchi’s transition, analysts suggested that further reductions in his curveball usage in favor of more sliders and changeups could be beneficial. "Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups," was the prevalent sentiment around the time of his pivotal trade. This insight, in light of Kikuchi's subsequent performance, reveals the soundness of this tactical shift.
In his last season, Kikuchi's efforts were quantified as contributing 1.4 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference. This metric of WAR places value on his ability to positively impact games and serve as a cornerstone pitcher within a major league team.
Complementing the Offseason Acquisitions
Kikuchi's acquisition comes as part of a broader strategy by the Angels to bolster their squad. The franchise has also added established names like Jorge Soler, Travis d’Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks during the offseason. Each of these players brings unique strengths that are expected to enhance the team's performance and competitiveness.
In Kikuchi, the Angels gain a pitcher who has demonstrated not only skill and resilience but also the willingness to adapt and evolve his game. His trajectory from Toronto to Houston and now to Los Angeles signifies a journey ripe with potential, promising to add a new dynamic to the Angels' pitching rotation as they aim for success in the coming seasons.