Page 83 - 2026 Los Angeles Angels Media Guide

Y usei
Yusei
16 KIKUCHI

◆ Won a career-best five consecutive decisions from May 24 to July 1...Over the seven-start run, was 5-0 with a
1.87 (43.1 IP - 9 ER) and 40 strikeouts...Included a four-start stretch from June 12 to July 1 in which he posted a
1.01 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.
2020
◆ Finished second season with Mariners and went 2-4 with a 5.17 ERA (47.0 IP - 27 ER) with 47 strikeouts.
◆ Was one of 10 pitchers to make at least nine starts and allow no more than three home runs.
◆ Held opponents to a .190 batting average at T-Mobile Park, allowing just four extra-base hits with 24 strikeouts
and a .513 OPS in four starts.
2019
◆ Made MLB debut with Mariners on Mar. 21 against Oakland at the Tokyo Dome in Japan (4.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB,
3 SO)...Became the first Japanese-born player to make Major League debut in Japan.
◆ Earned his first Major League win on April 20 at LAA.
◆ His 32 starts tied for fourth-most by a rookie in Mariners history (also: Matt Young in 1983), and tied for the
Major League lead among rookies in 2019 (also: Sandy Alcantara, Dakota Hudson, and Merrill Kelly). KIKUCHI
◆ Finished the season with 116 strikeouts, sixth-most in club history by a Mariners rookie.
◆ Recorded first career complete game shutout on August 18 at TOR, and allowed just two hits and a walk with
eight strikeouts...Became just the 13th pitcher (17th instance) in club history to throw a complete game shutout
within his first 30 career appearances.
POSTSEASON SUMMARY
◆ Made MLB Postseason debut in 2023 with Blue Jays, appearing in relief in Game 2 of the A.L. Wild Card Series at
Minnesota.
WILD CARD TOTALS
Year Club, Opp. W-L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO
2023— TOR, MIN 0-0 5.40 1 0 0 0 0 1.2 3 1 1 1 0
PACIFIC LEAGUE (JAPAN) SUMMARY
◆ In 2018, went 14-4 with a 3.08 ERA (163.2 IP - 56 ER) and 153 strikeouts in 23 starts for the Lions…Named to the NPB All-
Star Team for the third time in his career (also: 2013 and 2017)...Earned double-digit wins (14) for third consecutive season.
◆ Led the Pacific League in wins (16) and ERA (1.97) in 2017...Tossed a career-high 187.2 innings...Made 26 starts with Seibu,
recording six complete games and four shutouts...Made second NPB All-Star Team and won Mistui Golden Glove Award.
◆ Reached double-digits in wins for the first time in his career in 2016...In 22 starts with Seibu, worked two complete
games and finished season with a 12-7 record and 2.58 ERA (143.0 IP - 41 ER).
◆ In 2015, made 23 appearances (21 starts) with Seibu...Went 9-10 with a 2.84 ERA (133.0 IP - 42 ER) and 122 strikeouts.
◆ Made 23 starts with Seibu in 2014, and posted a 3.54 ERA (139.2 IP - 55 ER) with 111 strikeouts.
◆ In 2013, recorded three shutouts and allowed only five home runs over 17 starts with the Lions, and went 9-4 with
a 1.92 ERA (108.0 IP - 23 ER)...Named to first career NPB All-Star Team.
◆ In 2012, went 4-3 with a 3.10 ERA (81.1 IP - 28 ER) in 14 games (12 starts) in debut with Seibu’s major league team.
◆ In 2011, made his pro debut with Seibu’s minor league team, going 4-1 with a 4.14 ERA (54.1 IP - 25 ER), 24
strikeouts, and eight walks in 10 games (nine starts)...Pitched for Melbourne in the Australian Winter League.
NOTABLE PACIFIC LEAGUE AWARDS AND HONORS
◆ 2018 Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star.
◆ 2017 Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star...Mitsui Golden Glove Award (Pitcher).
◆ 2013 Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
◆ June 10, 2015...Selected by Seibu Lions in first round of 2009 Nippon Professional Baseball Draft.
◆ Jan. 2, 2019...Signed by Mariners as international free agent.
◆ Mar. 14, 2022...Signed by Blue Jays to three-year contract.
◆ July 29, 2024...Traded by Blue Jays to Astros for RHP Jake Bloss, OF Joey Loperfido, and INF Will Wagner.
◆ Nov. 27, 2024...Signed by Angels to three-year contract.
PERSONAL/MISC
◆ Yusei Kikuchi (pronounced YOU-say key-KOO-chee).
◆ Resides for most of the offseason with his wife, Rumi, and son, Leo, in Arizona.
◆ Pitched for Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan where he led his school to to a runner-up finish at the National
High School Baseball Championship (also known as Kōshien) in April 2009, and to the semifinals in August 2009.
◆ Opened a brand new baseball facility in Hanamaki called KOH (King of the Hill) in November 2024.

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