Yusei Kikuchi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yusei Kikuchi |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Kikuchi with the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2018
|
|||
| Los Angeles Angels – No. 16 | |||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: June 17, 1991 Morioka, Iwate, Japan |
|||
|
|||
| Professional debut | |||
| NPB: June 12, 2011, for the Saitama Seibu Lions | |||
| MLB: March 21, 2019, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| NPB statistics (through 2018 season) |
|||
| Win–loss record | 73–46 | ||
| Earned run average | 2.77 | ||
| Strikeouts | 903 | ||
| MLB statistics (through July 19, 2025) |
|||
| Win–loss record | 45–53 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.39 | ||
| Strikeouts | 960 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Yusei Kikuchi (菊池 雄星, Kikuchi Yūsei, Japanese pronunciation: [ki̥kɯtɕi jɯꜜːseː], born June 17, 1991) is a professional baseball pitcher from Japan. He plays for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Angels, he played for the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros in MLB. He also played for the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Yusei Kikuchi has been chosen as an All-Star twice, in 2021 and 2025.
Contents
Yusei Kikuchi's Early Baseball Days
Yusei Kikuchi went to Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan. This is the same school that famous baseball player Shohei Ohtani later attended. When Kikuchi was in high school, his fastball could reach speeds of 154 kilometers per hour (96 miles per hour).
In 2009, there was a lot of talk about whether Kikuchi would play baseball in Japan or go straight to America. Many teams in both Japan and the U.S. wanted him to join them. He was a very talented young pitcher.
Kikuchi thought about skipping the Japanese draft to sign with an American team. If he did, he would be a free agent and could choose any team he wanted. Scouts from many MLB teams, like the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, watched him play. All 12 Japanese professional teams were also interested.
His high school manager helped him declare his wish to become a professional player. This meant teams could start talking to him. Kikuchi helped his high school team do very well in big tournaments. He even visited the United States to learn more about playing there.
If Kikuchi had gone to an American team right away, he would have been the first Japanese high school player to do so. Players who stay in Japan usually play there for nine seasons before they can become free agents. They can only leave earlier if their Japanese team lets them. In the end, Kikuchi decided to stay in Japan and enter the draft.
Professional Baseball Career
Playing for the Saitama Seibu Lions
On November 20, 2009, Yusei Kikuchi signed his first professional contract with the Saitama Seibu Lions. This team is based north of Tokyo in Japan. His contract included a large signing bonus and a good first-year salary.
After the 2011 season, Kikuchi also played for the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League (ABL). In 2018, he was chosen to play in the NPB All-Star Game, which is a big honor in Japanese baseball.
On December 3, 2018, the Saitama Seibu Lions allowed Kikuchi to enter the posting system. This system lets Japanese players move to Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States.
Time with the Seattle Mariners
On January 2, 2019, Kikuchi signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners. He made his first MLB appearance on March 21, 2019. He was the first Japanese-born player to make his MLB debut in Japan.
His first season with the Mariners was a bit tough. He finished with 6 wins and 11 losses. However, he improved in 2020, striking out more batters. In 2021, Kikuchi was chosen to be an American League All-Star, which is a huge achievement!
Playing for the Toronto Blue Jays
On March 14, 2022, Kikuchi signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2022, he pitched in 32 games for Toronto. He earned his first MLB save on September 30, helping his team secure a spot in the playoffs.
In 2023, Kikuchi had a strong season for the Blue Jays. He started 32 games, winning 11 and losing 6. He also struck out 181 batters. In 2024, he made 22 starts for the Blue Jays.
Moving to the Houston Astros
On July 29, 2024, Kikuchi was traded to the Houston Astros. He made his debut for the Astros on August 2. He became the first Japanese starting pitcher in the Astros' history. In that game, he tied a team record by striking out eight batters in a row! He finished with 11 strikeouts, which was the most for an Astros pitcher in a debut since 2018.
On September 13, Kikuchi was the winning pitcher when the Astros got their 5,000th win in team history. The Astros won Kikuchi's first nine starts, setting a new team record. This was the longest such streak in Major League Baseball since 2002.
During his time with the Astros, Kikuchi had a great record of 5 wins and 1 loss. He also had a very good earned run average (ERA) of 2.70. He struck out 76 batters in 60 innings. Overall in 2024, between Toronto and Houston, he had 9 wins and 10 losses. He set a new career high with 206 strikeouts, which was the fifth-highest in the American League. After the season, he became a free agent.
Joining the Los Angeles Angels
On November 27, 2024, Kikuchi signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his debut for the Angels on Opening Day, March 27, 2025. On May 23, he got his first win as an Angel. On June 25, he had a season-high 12 strikeouts in a game against the Boston Red Sox. On July 6, Kikuchi was named to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game roster, marking his second time being selected as an All-Star.
Yusei Kikuchi's Pitching Style
Yusei Kikuchi is a left-handed pitcher who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. He throws from a special three-quarters arm angle. His main pitch is a four-seam fastball that can reach speeds of 99 miles per hour. He also throws a very good slider, and sometimes uses a curveball and a changeup.
Personal Life
Yusei Kikuchi is known for having a very strict sleep schedule. Before he pitches in a game, he reportedly sleeps for 13 to 14 hours! He married Rumi Fukatsu in 2016.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players from Japan
