In a significant move this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels have secured the talents of left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, signing him to a lucrative three-year contract valued at $63 million. The veteran pitcher, at 33 years old, is expected to reinforce the Angels' rotation with his strong left arm and recent improvements on the mound.
A Stellar Season with the Astros
Yusei Kikuchi comes to the Angels following a notable performance in the latter part of the previous season, where he played a pivotal role for the Houston Astros. After a midseason trade from the Toronto Blue Jays, Kikuchi excelled with the Astros, recording an impressive 2.70 ERA over 60 innings in his final 10 starts. The change of scenery seemed to invigorate Kikuchi, who significantly improved his strikeout-to-walk ratio to 5.43, a considerable uptick from his season's overall ratio of 4.68.
Kikuchi's success on the mound was partly attributed to a strategic alteration in his pitching repertoire. Most notably, he cut down on his fastball and curveball usage after joining Houston. Reducing his fastball pitches from 49.6% to 41.8% and his curveball from 22.7% to a mere 9.5%, he leaned more heavily on his slider, increasing its usage to 37.1%. This adjustment paid dividends, as opposing batters struggled mightily against his slider, managing only a .172/.245/.212 slash line. Kikuchi's slider was especially lethal, boasting a 29.2% swinging strike rate.
A New Role in Los Angeles
The Angels are optimistic that Kikuchi's adjustments in pitch selection—a move analysts had predicted, suggesting he focus more on sliders and changeups—will continue to bring strong results in Los Angeles. Kikuchi's knack for placing 67.4% of his pitches to the outside part of the plate was another strategic element that made him difficult for hitters to handle, holding them to a .591 OPS on those outside pitches.
In anticipation of the upcoming season, the Angels are bolstering their roster with several key acquisitions besides Kikuchi. The front office has been active, also bringing in talents such as Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. These moves reflect a determined effort by the Angels to enhance their competitiveness and secure a postseason berth.
The Impact of Kikuchi's Arrival
Considering Kikuchi's record, the Angels are likely counting on his consistent presence on the mound to offer stability and depth to their starting rotation. His experience, combined with his refined pitching strategy, should provide a valuable asset to the team. Last season, his contributions were noteworthy, with his performance translating to an estimated 1.4 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference.
As the Angels prepare for the 2024 campaign, Kikuchi's impact could indeed be transformative, especially if he replicates the form he displayed with the Astros. With a multifaceted pitching approach and a team eager to support his transition, the Angels and their fans are hopeful that Kikuchi will be a cornerstone of success both this season and beyond.