Remembering Yusei Kikuchi’s time with the Blue Jays

However, this article will serve as a reminder to what Kikuchi was able to accomplish in his tenure with the Blue Jays. There were ups and downs, but in the end, the left-handed pitcher left the team as a beloved player.

Going back in time, the Jays signed Kikuchi to a three-year, $36 million deal four days after the lockout ended on March 14, 2022.

The Japanese left-handed starter had shown some potential in his three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, including an All-Star nomination in his final season with the American League West team.

On July 1, 2021, Kikuchi had a 3.18 ERA and a 4.30 FIP in 93.1 innings pitched, with a 25.4 K% and an 8.5 BB% with Seattle. However, the lefty finished the rest of the season with a 6.22 ERA and a 5.07 FIP in 63.2 innings pitched, ending the season with a 4.41 ERA and a 4.61 FIP in 157 innings pitched.

There was merit to the Blue Jays signing Kikuchi to a three-year deal worth $36 million and once again, Kikuchi showed the potential with poor results. In his first two months with the Jays, Kikuchi had a 3.48 ERA and 4.06 FIP in 41.1 innings pitched, along with a 24.4 K% and a 13.3 BB%. But he struggled over his next 11 starts, rocking a 7.02 ERA and a 7.84 FIP in 41 innings pitched, requiring the Blue Jays to move him to the bullpen.

Kikuchi’s numbers improved once moving to the bullpen, as he had a 4.91 ERA and a 4.15 FIP in 18.1 innings pitched, with an insane 39.8 K% and a much-improved 10.8 BB%. 

It all came together for Kikuchi in the 2023 season though, as he finished the season with a 3.86 ERA and a 4.12 FIP in 167.2 innings pitched, with a 25.9 K% and a 6.9 BB%. The home run rate remained rather high (1.45 HR/9), but the ERA was the lowest of his career, while accumulating a career-best 2.6 fWAR. Moreover, the BB%, which was a massive issue for Kikuchi in his first season in Toronto, dropped to a career-best.

Entering the final season of his deal, Kikuchi had a strong start to the 2024 season, as he had a 2.64 ERA and a 2.61 FIP in 58 innings pitched on May 21. This included a 25.8 K% and a 5.5 BB%, pacing to be the best season of his career. However, Kikuchi has struggled immensely since May 26, posting a 6.87 ERA and a 4.67 FIP in 57.2 innings pitched, with a 26.4 K% and a 6.5 BB%.

Overall, he has a 4.75 ERA and a 3.64 FIP in 115.2 innings pitched, along with a 26.2 K% and a 6 BB%, the latter being a career-best. He’s better than the numbers and his last two months have shown, hence why he was highly sought after. But that doesn’t mean that the Astros overpaid for his services.

At the start of his Blue Jays’ career, the signing was questioned, but he pitched well enough to become a fan favourite in Toronto. Hopefully, the Jays look to sign him in the off-season. Either way, best of luck to Kikuchi!