The Season That Was: Yusei Kikuchi

The Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi on a three-year, $36 million contract. He had pitched for the Mariners for three seasons with a 15-24 record and a 4.97 ERA in 70 starts. Kikuchu made the AL All-Star team in 2021.

Yusei Kikuchi had a disappointing season. He was worth -$5.8 million to the Blue Jays. His strikeout rate was 27.3%, his walk rate 12. 8%, and his fly ball percentage was 23.7%. He had better ERA at home (4.58) than on the road (5:91).

Kikuchi had a bad season in his starts. The team scored 3 runs or less in 8 of his starting games. He had high hopes at the end of May but they crashed to the ground in June.

April: 0-1, 5.52 ERA in 4 starts. May: 2-0, 2.36 ERA, May-June: 1-3, 7.17 ERA and June-July: .314/.416/.721 in 21.1 innings. July-August: 6.14 ERA. August-September: 7-7, 7:27 ERA with August starts and September relief games. September-October: 4.05 ERA (8 games, 8 relief innings).

The season that was for Yusei Kikuchi. Bats hit .221/.384/.436 the first time through the order, .242/.370/.500 the second time and .260/.305/.510 the third time.

Yusei Kikuchi had a 5.25 ERA as a starter and 4.91 ERA in relief. His best start by GameScore was a 73 on May 16th. The worse start was on July 5th, in Oakland. He averaged 4 innings per start. By bWAR, his 2022 season was tied for the 18th worst season in the history of the Jays.

Kikuchi is getting paid $10 million. He is a good teammate and seems to get along with everyone. His problem is on the mound. Pete Walker will manage him in spring training next year. If the over/under on Kikuchi’s ERA was 3.79, 78% of people were right taking the under.

If the over/under on Kikuchi’s ERA was 3.79, 78% of us were right taking the under. If the number was 140, 25% got it right, taking under the total.