In a strategic move aimed at bolstering their pitching rotation, the Los Angeles Angels have secured the services of left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi through a lucrative three-year contract worth $63 million. At 33 years old, Kikuchi is set to bring a wealth of experience and recent improvements to the mound for the Angels.
Kikuchi's 2022 season was a tale of two halves, marked by significant development following a mid-season trade from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Houston Astros. During his tenure with the Blue Jays, Kikuchi posted a modest ERA of 4.05. However, his time with the Astros revealed a marked transformation in his pitching arsenal, resulting in a remarkable 2.70 ERA over 60 innings in his final 10 starts.
Revamping the Pitching Arsenal
The transformation in Kikuchi's performance was largely attributed to the strategic adjustments in his pitch selection. Reducing his reliance on the fastball from 49.6% to 41.8%, and the curveball from 22.7% to a mere 9.5%, Kikuchi instead increased his slider usage to 37.1%. This shift not only added variety to his playing style but also increased the effectiveness of his pitches.
Batters struggled significantly against Kikuchi's slider, managing just a .172/.245/.212 slash line during his stint with the Astros. The slider was particularly devastating, producing an impressive 29.2% swinging strike rate. As one notable analysis suggested around the time of his trade, "Surely Kikuchi would benefit from reducing his curveball usage in favor of throwing more sliders and changeups." The statistics now tell the story of a pitcher who turned this analysis into reality, successfully leveraging his slider as a primary weapon.
Strikeout Efficiency and Approach
Kikuchi's approach on the mound also evolved, leading to a more refined strikeout-to-walk ratio. While his season-wide ratio stood at 4.68, his tenure with the Astros saw this figure improve to an impressive 5.43. Command and precision played a pivotal role, with Kikuchi strategically placing 67.4% of his pitches on the outside part of the plate. This approach yielded favorable results, holding hitters to a .591 OPS against his outside pitches.
Kikuchi's improved performance during the latter half of the season did not go unnoticed, with his contributions being quantified as 1.4 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference. This metric further underscores his value and potential impact on the Angels' rotation.
A Busy Offseason for the Angels
The acquisition of Yusei Kikuchi is part of a broader offseason strategy by the Los Angeles Angels aimed at strengthening their roster. In addition to Kikuchi, the Angels have also brought in Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, and Kyle Hendricks. This series of signings reflects the team's commitment to being a competitive force in the upcoming season.
The Angels' management is evidently banking on these offseason moves to propel the team into playoff contention. As Kikuchi joins his new team, expectations will be high for him to replicate and build upon the form he showcased with the Astros. With the changes made to his pitching approach and the support of a strengthened lineup, Kikuchi is set to be a central figure on the Angels' path forward.
As the new season approaches, Los Angeles fans will be eagerly watching to see how Kikuchi's revamped pitching arsenal can complement the team's ambitions. The Angels, with their strategic signings, look poised to make a significant impact in the league. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on Kikuchi as a key component of this push for success.