According to a latest crazy report, the Los Angeles Angels have signed left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year contract. This is a $63 million contract, as first reported by MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The Angels have not yet officially confirmed the deal.
Kikuchi’s Baseball Journey
Kikuchi started his professional baseball career in Japan, where he played for eight seasons before moving to Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2019. He began with the Seattle Mariners, where he struggled to maintain good form. Later, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 on a $36 million deal.
Despite a shaky start in MLB, Kikuchi found new life after being traded to the Houston Astros in the middle of the 2024 season.
Kikuchi’s Big Improvement with the Astros
Kikuchi’s performance improved a lot after joining the Astros. In the last 10 games of the season, he was one of their top pitchers, delivering a 2.70 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts in 60 innings.
One major reason for this improvement was a change in his pitching style. The Astros’ coaches encouraged him to use his slider more often. By September, Kikuchi was throwing sliders 38.9% of the time, which made his other pitches more effective too.
| Stats Before and After Trade | Before Trade | With Astros |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 4.96 | 2.70 |
| WHIP | 1.47 | 0.93 |
| Strikeouts (Innings) | 87 (95 IP) | 76 (60 IP) |
What This Means for the Angels
The Angels have struggled with pitching for many years, which has held them back despite having superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. With Kikuchi, they are hoping to solve some of those problems.
If Kikuchi can continue performing like he did with the Astros, he will be a reliable addition to the Angels’ rotation. He could work well with other pitchers like Patrick Sandoval and Reid Detmers, giving the team a much-needed boost for the 2025 season.
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Kikuchi’s Career So Far
Here’s a quick look at Kikuchi’s professional journey:
| Career Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| MLB Seasons | 6 |
| Career ERA | 4.48 |
| Career WHIP | 1.32 |
| Strikeouts | 715 |
| NPB (Japan) Seasons | 8 |
Kikuchi’s Future with the Angels
Kikuchi has shown he can bounce back and adapt to new challenges. Angels fans will now be hoping he continues his strong form and helps the team become more competitive in the tough AL West division. For more details on Kikuchi’s stats and career progression, visit MLB’s official player page.
