How Yusei Kikuchi Transformed His Game After Midseason Trade ?

The Los Angeles Angels made a significant splash this winter by agreeing to a three-year, $63 million contract with Yusei Kikuchi, a left-handed starter coming off a mixed season split between the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. While Kikuchi posted a solid 4.05 ERA and 4.68 strikeout-to-walk ratio overall, the Angels are betting on the improvements Kikuchi showed after his trade to Houston, particularly during a stretch where he posted a 2.70 ERA in his final 10 starts.

What exactly changed for Kikuchi after the trade, and can the Angels expect him to build on those gains? Here are three key adjustments he made that could signal continued improvement.

Hiding the Heater: Reducing Fastball Usage

One of Kikuchi’s most significant adjustments was his reduced reliance on the fastball, which had previously been his go-to pitch. In Toronto, Kikuchi threw his heater 49.6% of the time, but after the trade to the Astros, he dropped that to 41.8%. This change was partly in response to the league-wide trend of pitchers relying less on fastballs, but also because Kikuchi had struggled with his fastball, allowing a .297 average and a .516 slugging percentage against it with the Blue Jays.

In Houston, Kikuchi’s fastball numbers improved significantly—batters hit just .225 with a .483 slugging percentage against the pitch over his final 10 starts. This shift could signal a more sustainable approach moving forward, especially as he refines his use of secondary pitches.

Embracing What Works: More Slider, Less Curveball

Along with reducing his fastball usage, Kikuchi adjusted his entire pitch mix to focus more on his strengths. He shelved his curveball, cutting its usage from 22.7% to just 9.5%. In contrast, he doubled his use of the slider, increasing its share from 16.9% to 37.1%. The result? A highly effective slider that allowed Kikuchi to limit opponents to a .172 batting average, a .245 on-base percentage, and a .212 slugging percentage. His 29.2% swinging strike rate on the pitch was comparable to his best seasons with the Blue Jays.

Kikuchi’s newfound comfort with his slider suggests that if he continues to lean on this pitch, he could become a more dangerous and reliable weapon for the Angels, particularly against left-handed batters.

Change in Location: More Success on the Outer Half

Kikuchi also changed his approach to pitch location after the trade. With the Blue Jays, he worked more frequently on the inside part of the plate. However, with the Astros, he shifted to working the outer half of the strike zone, with 67.4% of his pitches located away from the batter. This change paid off, as Kikuchi surrendered a .591 OPS on pitches to the outer half, compared to a .791 OPS on pitches located inside.

Can Kikuchi Sustain This Success?

While Kikuchi’s late-season improvements are promising, there are still questions about whether he can maintain these gains. Batters are adept at adjusting to a pitcher’s tendencies, so it will be crucial for Kikuchi to continue evolving and refining his approach to avoid regression. Nonetheless, his commitment to improving his pitch mix, location, and fastball usage is a strong sign that he could become a more consistent and impactful pitcher for the Angels.

If Kikuchi can maintain his recent form, the Angels may have secured a valuable starter who can help solidify their rotation as they aim to become competitive once again.