Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (2024)

Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (1)

  • P
  • B/T: L/L
  • 6' 0"/210
  • Age: 33

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2024 Regular Season

G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
30 9-9 4.29 163.2 189 1.22
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
30 9-9 4.29 163.2 189 1.22

Career Regular Season

G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
164 41-46 4.63 797.2 820 1.35
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
164 41-46 4.63 797.2 820 1.35

Yusei Kikuchi Bio

  • Fullname: Yusei Kikuchi
  • Nickname: U Say
  • Born: 6/17/1991 in Morioka, Japan
  • High School: Hanamaki Higashi, Iwate, JPN
  • Debut: 3/21/2019

Yusei Kikuchi

Yusei Kikuchi (pronounced YOU-say key-KOO-chee)... Resides for most of the offseason with his wife, Rumi, and son, Leo, in Arizona...Rumi previously worked as a broadcaster for NHK TV... Pitched for Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan where he led the team to a runner-up finish at the national high school invitational in April, 2009, and to the semifinals in the national championship in August, 2009...Became the top pick in the 2009 NPB Draft by the Saitama Seibu Lions... Is the seventh Japanese-born player to play for the Blue Jays, and the fifth pitcher to do so, joining Mike Nakamura (2004), Tomo Ohka (2007), Ryota Igarashi (2012) and Shun Yamaguchi (2020).

2023

Set career highs in wins (11), innings pitched (167.2), ERA (3.86), WHIP (1.27), and strikeouts (181), while matching his career high with 32 starts (also in 2019)...Pitched into the fifth inning in 31 of his 32 outings...Was named the team’s Most Improved Player by the Toronto Chapter of the BBWAA...Picked up the win in his season debut on April 4 at KC, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball with three hits, a walk, and two strikeouts...Was his 1st start since Aug. 15, 2022 vs. BAL, and his 1st win as a starter since July 28, 2022 vs. DET...Improved to 2-0 on April 15 vs. TB, throwing 6.0 innings of one-run ball with four hits, a walk and a season-high nine strikeouts...Marked his most punchouts in a game as a Blue Jay...Completed 6.0 frames for the first time since June 30,2022 vs. TB...Earned his third win of the year on April 21 at NYY, tossing 6.0 frames of one-run ball with four hits, two walks, and three strikeouts...Recorded back-to-back starts of 6.0+ innings and 0-or-1 runs allowed for the first time since June 18-25 of his 2021 All-Star campaign...Moved his record to 4-0 on April 26 vs. CWS, throwing 5.2 innings of shutout ball while scattering four singles and a walk with eight strikeouts...Allowed one run or fewer in four of his first five starts of the year, leading to Toronto wins each time...Improved to 6-2 on May 30 vs. MIL, giving up two runs 5.0 frames...Punched out Joey Wiemer in the fourth inning for the 500th strikeout of his career...Became the ninth Japanese-born player to record 500 strikeouts and 500.0 innings pitched in Major League Baseball...Earned his 7th win of the season on June 25 vs. OAK, tossing 7.0 frames of one-run ball with two hits, two walks and eight strikeouts...Marked his longest outing as a Blue Jay...Picked up his career-best 8th win of the year on July 26 at LAD, tossing 6.0 frames of one-run ball with seven hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts... Took a no-decision on Aug. 15 vs. PHI, tossing 6.0 frames of one-run ball (4H, 0BB, 7K)...Allowed one earned run or fewer in six straight starts, tied with Dave Stieb (Sept. 13, 1988-April 10, 1989) and Hyun Jin Ryu (Aug. 5-Sept. 2, 2020) for the longest streak in team history...Did not allow a home run in a career-high seven consecutive starts from July 16-Aug. 22, the longest stretch by a Blue Jays since Kevin Gausman from April 9-May 13, 2022...Earned his 10th win of the campaign on Sept. 19 at NYY, reaching double-digit victories for the first time in his career...Tossed 5.0 frames of one-run ball with four hits, a walk and seven strikeouts...Made his postseason debut in Game 2 of the ALWC on Oct. 4 at MIN, pitching 1.2 frames of relief (3H, ER, BB).

2022

Over 20 starts, went 4-7 with a 5.25 ERA (48 ER/82.1 IP)....Gave up 3R/2ER on five hits over 3.1 innings (2BB, 2K) in his Blue Jays debut April 12 at NYY....Made his first start at Rogers Centre as a Blue Jay on April 24 at HOU...Settled for a no-decision, giving up 4R/2ER on three hits over 3.2 innings (5BB, 4K, HR)....Earned his first win as a Blue Jay on May 4 vs. NYY, tossing 6.0 innings of one-run ball, surrendering three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts…Marked his first quality start of the season...Induced a season-high 15 swing-and-misses....Won his second game of the season on May 16 vs. SEA, his first meeting with his former ‘mates...Began the evening with 4.0 no-hit frames before finishing with 6.0 innings of one-hit, shutout ball (3BB, 6K)...Allowed no more than one hit in a start for the third time in his career....In the month of May, went 2-0 over five starts with a 2.36 ERA (7 ER/26.2 IP) and 31 strikeouts while holding batters to a .177 average....Tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on June 30 vs. TB, scattering four hits and a walk with a season-high eight strikeouts on 80 pitches (50 strikes)...Punched out Taylor Walls in the fifth for his 400th career strikeout, becoming the 15th Japanese-born player to reach the milestone....Went on the injured list with a neck strain from July 6-27....Picked up his fourth win on July 28 vs. DET, throwing 5.0 innings of one-run ball in his return from the IL...Gave up two hits and a walk while striking out five batters on 67 pitches (46 strikes)....Moved to the bullpen in mid August and kept a 4.91 ERA (10 ER/18.1 IP) while going 2-0 in 12 relief appearances. Earned his first career MLB save on Sept. 30 vs. BOS, throwing 3.0 innings of shutout ball with a hit, a walk and five strikeouts.

2021

Set personal bests with seven wins and 163 strikeouts (16th in the AL)... Averaged a career-high 9.30 SO/9... Named to the American League All-Star Team for the first time July 4...Was on the AL club but did not pitch...Became the 14th Japanese-born player to be selected to participate in the Midsummer Classic... In the first half of the season, went 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA (38 ER/98.1 IP) with 73 hits, 34 walks and 98 strikeouts in 16 starts... Recorded a career-best streak of six quality starts from April 29-May 30, a streak ended when Kikuchi was forced to leave the game June 5 at LAA after being hit with a comebacker, having tossed just 4.0 innings on 64 pitches... Ran off a career-best five-game winning streak from May 24-July 1...Over the seven-start run, was 5-0 with a 1.87 (9 ER/43.1 IP) and 40 strikeouts...Included a four-start stretch from June 12-July 1 in which he posted a 1.01 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 26.2 innings...The last Mariner with an ERA that low and that many strikeouts over a four-start span was Félix Hernández in September of 2014 (0.96 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 28.0 innings)... Had a career-high 12 strikeouts in 6.0 IP on July 23 vs. OAK...Was his 3rd double-digit strikeout game of the year and the fourth of his career.

2020

Made nine starts in 2020, going 2-4 with a 5.17 ERA (27 ER, 47.0 IP), 47 strikeouts, 20 walks, 41 hits (3 HR) and a 2.35 SO/BB rate...Kikuchi was one of 10 players in baseball to make nine-or-more starts and allow three or less home runs in 2020…the others include Justus Sheffield-SEA (10 GS, 2 HR), Max Fried-ATL (11 GS, 2 HR), Randy Dobnak-MIN (10 GS, 3 HR), Dallas Keuchel-CWS (11 GS, 2 HR), Brad Keller-KC (9 GS, 2 HR), Corbin Burnes-MIL (9 GS, 2 HR), Spencer Turnbull-DET (11 GS, 2 HR), Zack Wheeler-PHI (11 GS, 3 HR) and Steven Brault-PIT (10 GS, 2 HR)...Allowed 41 hits this season, 15 of which for extra bases (11 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR)...his .366 slugging percentage allowed was 16th-best in the American League among starting pitchers (min. 150 BF)...Justus Sheffield had the 4th-best mark among AL starters (.304) and Marco Gonzales finished 14th (.361)...In his final start of 2020 on Sept. 25, Kikuchi fired 6.0 scoreless innings against the American League West champion Oakland Athletics, allowing just four hits and three walks with five strikeouts in an eventual 1-3 loss in Oakland…also faced Oakland on Aug. 1, where he threw 6.0 scoreless allowing three hits and one walk with a season-high nine strikeouts...In four starts against AL West opponents, Kikuchi went 1-0 with a 2.49 ERA (6 ER, 21.2 IP), 25 strikeouts, eight walks and an opponents slashline of .194/.275/.292 (14x72)…in five starts vs. NL West opponents, he went 1-4 with a 7.46 ERA (21 ER, 25.1 IP) with 22 strikeouts and 12 walks, with an opponents slashline of .270/.342/.420 (27x100)...Held opponents to a .190 batting average (15x79) at T-Mobile Park, allowing just four extra-base hits with 24 strikeouts and a .513 OPS in four starts…in contrast, opponents batted .280 (26x93) with 11 extra-base hits and an .819 OPS in five road starts...Kikuchi’s 4-seam fastball averaged 95.0 MPH over 298 throws in 2020…among left-handed pitchers with at least 250 4-seamers thrown this year, Kikuchi ranked 2nd in MLB behind only Jesús Luzardo-OAK, who averaged 95.9 MPH (282 4-seamers thrown).

2019

Was 6-11 with a 5.46 ERA (98 ER, 161.2 IP) with 116 strikeouts and 50 walks in 32 starts with the Mariners...His 32 starts tied for 4th-most by a rookie in single-season club history (also: Matt Young, 1983); trails only Mark Langston (33, 1984), Dave Fleming (33, 1992) and Freddy Garcia (33, 1999)…his 32 starts were tied for the Major League lead among rookies in 2019 (also: Sandy Alcantara-MIA, Dakota Hudson-STL and Merrill Kelly-ARI)...Finished the season with 116 strikeouts, 6th-most in club history by a Mariners rookie…trails only Mark Langston (204, 1984), Michael Pineda (173, 2011), Freddy Garcia (170, 1999), Roenis Elías (143, 2014) and Matt Young (130, 1983)…ranked 10th in the Majors (4th in the AL) among rookies this season (most: Merrill Kelly-ARI, 158)...Recorded his first career complete game shutout on August 18 at Toronto, pitching 9.0 scoreless innings and allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk with 8 strikeouts... the shutout was the 2nd by a Mariners starter in 2019 (also: Mike Leake, July 19 vs. LAA)... became just the 13th pitcher (done 17x) in club history to throw a complete game shutout within his first 30 career appearances (last: Mike Montgomery, 6/30/15 at SD)...When tossing at least 5.0 innings, was 6-5 with a 3.84 ERA (53 ER, 124.1 IP) with 99 strikeouts and 33 walks in 21 starts…in 11 starts in which he did not complete 5.0 innings, went 0-6 with a 10.85 ERA (45 ER, 37.1 IP) with 17 strikeouts and 17 walks...In 15 starts against teams with a winning percentage of .500 or better, posted a 3.92 ERA (36 ER, 82.2 IP)…in 17 starts against teams with a losing record, posted a 7.06 ERA (62 ER, 79.0 IP)...Made his Major League debut on March 21 against Oakland at the Tokyo Dome in Japan…became the first Japanese-born player to make his Major League debut in Japan…worked into the 5th inning with a 3-1 lead but took a no decision...Earned his first Major League win on April 20 at Los Angeles-AL…worked 5.0 innings, allowing 4 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3...On April 26 vs. Texas, made a planned start of just 1.0 inning in an effort to help adjust from the 7-day pitching rotation in Japan to the 5-day pitching rotation in the Majors…retired each of the 3 Rangers batters he faced, striking out 2...Following his abbreviated outing on April 26 against the Rangers, worked at least 6.0 innings and allowed 3 or fewer runs in each of his next 4 starts…went 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA (6 ER, 26.2 IP) in those 4 starts, spanning May 3-19...Making his 8th career start, recorded 10 strikeouts on May 3 at Cleveland… took a no decision despite allowing just 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 10 in 7.0 innings…became the 7th pitcher in club history to have a double-digit strikeout game within his first 8 career starts with the Mariners, joining Byron McLaughlin (1978), Erik Hanson (1988), Félix Hernández (2005), James Paxton (2013), Roenis Elías (2014) and Mike Montgomery (2015)...From May 25 - June 8, worked exactly 3.1 innings and allowed at least 5 runs in 3 straight starts…went 0-3 while allowing 18 runs (16 earned runs) over 10.0 innings for a 14.40 ERA…allowed 9 or more hits in each of those 3 outings...Retired 46 of 54 batters (6 H, 2 BB, GIDP) over 3 starts, April 26 - May 8, including 7.2 innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball on May 8 at New York-AL.

2018

The Totals - Went 14-4 with a 3.08 ERA (56 ER, 163.2 IP) with 153 strikeouts and 45 walks in 23 starts with the Seibu Lions...Sky Full of Stars - Named to the NPB All-Star Team for the 3rd time in his career (also: 2013 and 2017)...Winning Ways - Earned double-digit wins (14) for the 3rd consecutive season, following 12 wins in 2016 and a league-best 16 wins in 2017...You Complete Me - Tossed 1 complete game.

Year AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP OPS
Career Regular Season 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000
Year AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP OPS
Career Regular Season 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000
Year W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2024 Regular Season 9 9 4.29 30 30 0 163.2 189 1.22
Career Regular Season 41 46 4.63 164 152 1 797.2 820 1.35
Year W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2024 Regular Season 9 9 4.29 30 30 0 163.2 189 1.22
Career Regular Season 41 46 4.63 164 152 1 797.2 820 1.35
  • Status: Active
  • Next HOU Game: 09-19 vs LAA

Splits

Duration W L ERA G GS SV IP H ER BB SO WHIP
Last 7 Games 5 0 3.19 7 7 0 42.1 30 15 9 48 0.92
Last 15 Games - - --- - - - --- - - - - ---
Last 30 Games 4 9 4.75 22 22 0 115.2 125 61 30 130 1.34
Duration W L ERA G GS SV IP H ER BB SO WHIP
Last 7 Games 5 0 3.19 7 7 0 42.1 30 15 9 48 0.92
Last 15 Games - - --- - - - --- - - - - ---
Last 30 Games 4 9 4.75 22 22 0 115.2 125 61 30 130 1.34
Last 3 Games W L SV IP H ER BB SO
9/13 @ LAA 1 0 0 7.0 3 3 2 6
9/7 vs AZ 1 0 0 6.0 7 4 0 6
8/31 vs KC 1 0 0 7.0 5 1 0 12
Last 3 Games W L SV IP H ER BB SO
9/13 @ LAA 1 0 0 7.0 3 3 2 6
9/7 vs AZ 1 0 0 6.0 7 4 0 6
8/31 vs KC 1 0 0 7.0 5 1 0 12

Games by Position: SP (30)

News

9/18/2024 at 3:50 PM 9/18/2024 at 3:50 PM Yusei Kikuchi against the Angels 9/14/2024 at 2:02 AM 9/14/2024 at 2:02 AM Astros remain unblemished with Kikuchi on the mound 9/13/2024 at 11:51 PM 9/13/2024 at 11:51 PM Yusei Kikuchi's six strikeouts 9/13/2024 at 9:55 PM 9/13/2024 at 9:55 PM Yusei Kikuchi strikes out Charles Leblanc

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Charts

Zone Charts

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Yusei Kikuchi Pitch Breakdown Catcher Perspective

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Yusei Kikuchi Strikeouts Catcher Perspective

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Yusei Kikuchi Batting Avg Against Catcher Perspective

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Yusei Kikuchi Exit Velocity Against Catcher Perspective

Awards

AL All-Star

Year Team League
2021 Seattle Mariners AL

Blue Jays Most Improved Player

Year Team League
2023 Toronto Blue Jays AL

League Rankings

Runs

Year R Rank
2024 82 7th in
2024 19 7th in AL
2024 63 7th in AL
2021 82 15th in AL
2019 109 3rd in AL

Doubles

Year 2B Rank
2020 11 18th in AL
2019 41 7th in AL

Triples

Year 3B Rank
2022 3 9th in AL
2020 1 23rd in AL
2019 6 4th in AL

Home Runs

Year HR Rank
2024 24 7th in
2024 7 7th in AL
2024 17 7th in AL
2023 27 10th in AL
2022 23 13th in AL
2021 27 10th in AL
2019 36 2nd in AL

Hits

Year H Rank
2024 158 11th in
2024 33 11th in AL
2024 125 11th in AL
2023 165 14th in AL
2021 145 22nd in AL
2019 195 5th in AL

At Bats

Year AB Rank
2023 646 19th in AL
2021 597 19th in AL
2019 660 18th in AL

Innings Pitched

Year IP Rank
2024 163.2 20th in
2024 48.0 20th in AL
2024 115.2 20th in AL
2023 167.2 20th in AL
2021 157.0 20th in AL
2019 161.2 23rd in AL

Losses

Year Losses Rank
2024 9 24th in
2024 0 24th in AL
2024 9 24th in AL
2021 9 15th in AL
2020 4 14th in AL
2019 11 13th in AL

Total Bases

Year TB Rank
2024 255 14th in
2024 57 14th in AL
2024 198 14th in AL
2023 275 17th in AL
2021 258 18th in AL
2019 356 3rd in AL

Strikeouts

Year SO Rank
2024 189 5th in
2024 59 5th in AL
2024 130 5th in AL
2023 181 15th in AL
2021 163 16th in AL

Hit By Pitch

Year HBP Rank
2022 9 13th in AL

Wins

Year Wins Rank
2023 11 17th in AL

Batting Average

Year AVG Rank
2024 .248 24th in
2024 .185 24th in AL
2024 .272 24th in AL

Caught Stealing

Year CS Rank
2024 4 18th in
2024 1 18th in AL
2024 3 18th in AL

WHIP

Year WHIP Rank
2024 1.22 22nd in
2024 0.94 22nd in AL
2024 1.34 22nd in AL

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Latest Transactions

Team Date Transaction
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (7) July 31, 2024 Houston Astros activated LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (8) July 29, 2024 Toronto Blue Jays traded LHP Yusei Kikuchi to Houston Astros for RHP Jake Bloss, OF Joey Loperfido and 2B Will Wagner.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (9) July 28, 2022 Toronto Blue Jays activated LHP Yusei Kikuchi from the 15-day injured list.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (10) July 22, 2022 Toronto Blue Jays sent LHP Yusei Kikuchi on a rehab assignment to Buffalo Bisons.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (11) July 22, 2022 sent LHP Yusei Kikuchi on a rehab assignment to Buffalo Bisons.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (12) July 7, 2022 Toronto Blue Jays placed LHP Yusei Kikuchi on the 15-day injured list. Neck strain.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (13) March 14, 2022 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (14) March 14, 2022 Toronto Blue Jays activated LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (15) March 14, 2022 Toronto Blue Jays activated LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (16) November 4, 2021 Seattle Mariners activated LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (17) July 12, 2021 Seattle Mariners activated LHP Yusei Kikuchi from the 10-day injured list.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (18) July 12, 2021 LHP Yusei Kikuchi assigned to American League All-Stars.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (19) July 11, 2021 Seattle Mariners placed LHP Yusei Kikuchi on the 10-day injured list.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (20) January 2, 2019 Seattle Mariners signed free agent LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (21) January 2, 2019 Seattle Mariners signed free agent LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (22) January 2, 2019 Seattle Mariners signed free agent P Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (23) January 2, 2019 Seattle Mariners signed free agent P Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (24) January 2, 2019 Seattle Mariners signed free agent P Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (25) December 28, 2011 Melbourne Aces placed LHP Yusei Kikuchi on the reserve list.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (26) November 8, 2011 Melbourne Aces activated LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (27) October 26, 2011 LHP Yusei Kikuchi assigned to Melbourne Aces.

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Yusei Kikuchi Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News (2024)
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