Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who once shared a team with Ryu Hyun-jin at the Toronto Blue Jays, hit a "jackpot." 먹튀검증
Citing sources, MLB.COM reported on the 26th that the Los Angeles Angels have signed a contract with Kikuchi, who is a free agent. He added that the contract lasts for three years, totaling 63 million dollars. Although the official announcement is yet to be made, it is expected that the announcement will be made soon after medical tests. MLB.COM said, "Kikuchi is the first Japanese pitcher (for the Angels) since Shohei Ohtani left in December last year. A wide range of Japanese fans we have secured over the past six years with Ohtani still support the Angels," and analyzed that the Angels may enjoy the "Kikuchi Special."
Kikuchi, who was born in 1991 and is in his mid-30s next season, received such a good contract because he has performed quite well recently.
Kikuchi made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2019. However, he only had 15 wins and 24 losses and an ERA of 4.97 during his three years with the Seattle Mariners. Afterwards, he became an FA, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in March 2022 and shared a team-up with Ryu for a short time.
In his first season with Toronto, he was sluggish with 6-7 record and 5.19 ERA, but in 2023, he rebounded with 11-6 record and 3.86 ERA. This season, he was only 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in Toronto, but since being traded to the Houston Astros in the middle of the season, he has pitched well with 5-1 record and 2.70 ERA in 10 starts.
Despite his mid-30s age, Kikuchi's pitching performance itself is not bad. The average speed of his four-seam fastball speed this year was 95.6 miles (153.9 kilometers). Considering that he is a left-handed pitcher, the speed felt by batters was more than that.
The Angels have been troubled by starting pitchers every year. First, they succeeded in reinforcing the starting rotation by recruiting Kikuchi.